asked the Minister for Energy if he will clarify the position as to whether ESB manual grade pensioners qualify for the automatic indexation of public sector pension schemes as outlined in the Minister for Finance's budget speech this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Public Sector Pension Schemes.
328.
I recently informed the semi-State bodies under the aegis of my Department, following consultation with the Minister for the Public Service, that I would have no objection to them adjusting pensions in course of payment on the respective dates of the first and second phase increases of the 23rd pay round by reference to those increases and subject to (a) and (b) following:
(a) the first pension adjustment being no earlier than 1 September 1983 and the second pension adjustment being no earlier than 1 February 1984,
(b) as an exceptional measure in the case of bodies whose first phase pay increase was on or before 1 July 1983 and whose normal practice is to adjust pensions on 1 July each year the first pension adjustment may take effect from 1 July 1983.
As the dates of the first and second phase increases of the ESB manual grades were 1 April 1983 and 1 October 1983, respectively, their pension adjustments take effect from 1 July 1983 and 1 February 1984.
These arrangements apply only to increases due under the 23rd pay round. The Minister for the Public Service has not reached a decision on the application to the public sector of any increases that may be due under the 24th round.