Vol. 404 No. 6
97 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine the reason the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 whose husband was an employee of Irish Shipping Limited were reduced on his death; and if he will take steps to restore the full entitlements to the person concerned.
The deceased person to whom the Deputy refers was in receipt of a pension made up of a funded pension and an ex gratia element which, prior to the liquidation of Irish Shipping Limited, had been paid by the company. Upon liquidation, there being no funds available to the company to meet the liability, payment of the ex gratia pensions terminated.
On foot of a Government decision of August 1985, the State undertook payment of the ex gratia element of retired employees' pensions. As these pensions are personal to the recipients, payments cease upon their death.
