Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2009
490 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if an allowance will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5663/09]
View answerThe person in question is in receipt of a pension from my Department under the National School Teachers Spouses' and Children's Pension Scheme, as the spouse of a deceased teacher. Pension is not payable in respect of the person's granddaughter notwithstanding that the person is the child's guardian. Eligibility for children's pension under the scheme of which the deceased was a member is restricted to the children born of the member's marriage, children adopted by the member while in service and to step-children of the member where such children were dependent on the member while living. The provisions of the superannuation scheme are of general application and it is not open to me to depart from them in individual cases.
