andMr. Tunney asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction of retired teachers with his decision to refuse an increase in pensions this year and that, in general, the retired have been unfairly treated in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Pensions.
8.
There is no foundation whatsoever for the suggestion in the question that there is a decision to refuse an increase in the pensions of retired teachers this year. The facts contradict the suggestion. In the 1974 budget I announced the introduction of a system for revising public service pensions, including teachers, on 1st July each year by reference to rates of pay in force on that date. This system was an improvement on the system which operated previously and is still in operation. The last revision was effective from 1st July last year and the next revision is due with effect from 1st July next.
In these circumstances it will be evident that the arrangments for revising public service pensions are quite generous and that the allegation of unfair treatment of retired teachers is unfounded.
Is it not the position that since 1st July, 1975, there has been no increase granted and there will be no review until 1st July of this year?
That is right.
Is it not the position then that, even though serving teachers and others may get one, two or three increases during the financial year, these retired people must wait a whole year before they are given any increase at all? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that this position might be examined in view of the inflationary situation that exists with a view to giving the same opportunity for review that serving people have?
I would point out to the Deputy that there is an annual review. Deputy Colley, as Minister for Finance, introduced this review and in February, 1973, his successor improved on the position by advancing the review by a few months bringing it forward from October to July. At the moment there is no move to review the situation in the way Deputy Flanagan suggests.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that old people who are liable to die between one July and the next are suffering a severe handicap in that there has been an increase of roughly £400 at the maximum for serving teachers and retired teachers would normally attract, say, 50 per cent of that but many of them will die before they can do so? What is the position in that regard?
Deputy Wilson has more or less covered the same ground as that covered by Deputy Flanagan. If one were to introduce a scheme like this one would have to give an increase on 1st December, 1975, and on 1st March and 1st June, 1976, and at the moment we are not in a position to do this.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to get out of his difficulty by making the increase retrospective when it is introduced?
It is retrospective.
It is not.
It is reviewed annually.
But it is not retrospective.
No, it is not retrospective, and I am not prepared to do what the Deputy asks.