asked the Minister for Defence the reason widows' and orphans' contribution is deducted in full from members' gratuity when leaving the service; if, under existing regulations, members will qualify for a rebate of contributions where the wife dies before the husband and there are no children remaining in the family.
Written Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Scheme.
168.
Limerick West): A contributory pension scheme for the widows and children of non-commissioned officers and privates was first introduced in 1978. A revised scheme with additional benefits was introduced in 1985.
Under the terms of each of these schemes, contributions take the form of (a) periodic contributions, which are deducted from pay, and (b) non-periodic contributions, which are deducted from retirement gratuity.
Non-periodic contributions are required in the case of a member of either scheme who has not paid periodic contributions for the appropriate contributing period in his case as determined under the schemes.
A member of the 1978 scheme whose wife dies while he is serving continues to be liable to pay periodic contributions from his pay. On retirement and provided he has not remarried, the contributions of such a member in respect of the period subsequent to his wife's death would (a) be offset against his outstanding contribution liability in respect of service prior to his becoming a member of the scheme, or (b) be refunded to him if his contribution liability had been satisfied.
Unlike the 1978 scheme, the 1985 scheme covers marriage subsequent to retirement and, consequently, the question of an offset or a refund as mentioned in the preceding paragraph would not arise.
169.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans in his Department to make it optional for serving members of the Permanent Defence Force to enter into the widows' and orphans' scheme where members are leaving the force.
Limerick West): A change along the lines suggested by the Deputy is not envisaged.