asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware that two persons (details supplied) have found that their period in the public service for the purposes of calculating their pensions has excluded a time of active service at sea during the Second World War when they were involved in maintaining an essential supply of materials to this country in the Irish merchant navy; and if he is prepared now to ensure that this period of active service is included for pension purposes.
Written Answers . - Pensionable Service .
34.
: In so far as the question relates to the civil service, the superannuation code requires that service, to be reckonable, must either be in direct State employment and paid from voted moneys or transferred under agreed reciprocal transfer arrangements. The mercantile marine service in question does not satisfy these requirements; consequently, as matters stand, it is not possible to reckon such service for pension purposes.