Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 6

Written Answers - Pension Provisions.

Michael Ring

Question:

117 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the anomaly regarding widows and widowers who receive a pension from his Department which includes payment for their children still in full-time education, in view of the fact that in other Departments, including the Departments of Health and Children, and Education and Science, payment is included for children up to the age of 22 years while in full-time education, while his Department ceases payment for children in full-time education at the age of 21 years; the reason for this; if changes have occurred in relation to this since a previous parliamentary question was asked last October; and when he intends to address this anomaly. [5068/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 344 of 22 October 2002. I referred to the relevant agreed report of the Garda Conciliation Council in my reply. I expect it will be signed by all parties at a council meeting for the Garda Representative Association on 21 February.

The agreed report will provide for the payment of children's allowances under the Garda Síochána spouses' and children's pension scheme up to the age of 22 years where the children of deceased members are undergoing full-time education or training.