asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that a widow who has a family and is employed in the Civil Service will get the same pay as a widower.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Widows' Pay.
35.
A claim seeking this type of adjustment for widows reinstated in the Civil Service was dealt with in 1969 under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Civil Service. The agreed settlement took the form of granting an allowance subject to certain conditions. That arrangement still applies but it will be superceded in respect of some grades in the transition towards equal pay when the adjustment referred to by the Deputy will be achieved.
This is tied up with what I consider to be a commitment made by the parties opposite before they formed a Government. Can the Minister tell me will there be any undue delay in bringing about equal pay at least in this public sector which is directly under the control of the Minister?
The Deputy is, of course, aware that there will be no undue delay as far as the Government are concerned in fulfilling their commitments. Commitments of this kind require, however, the co-operation of everybody affected and we are at present in course of negotiation with people who may be affected by it.
Is it not a fact that the commitment was made by the previous Government in the budget statement of last year?
No.
The Minister did not read it. What is more, there was a time limit placed on it.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with it.