asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether an actuarial investigation into Civil Service superannuation has been arranged; and, if so, if he will state the date upon which the instructions for this investigation were issued, the persons who are carrying it out, and when it is expected that the report will be received.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Superannuation.
Arrangements had been made in 1937 for the institution of an actuarial investigation into Civil Service superannuation by the British Government actuary, to whose office an officer of my Department was temporarily attached. The preliminary work which, as will be appreciated, was of a complex nature, was proceeding until the advent of the emergency when the assembly on this side of the necessary data had to be suspended as a result of the demands of emergency work.
As indicated in my reply to a question on the 18th October last, it has not yet been possible to resume work in connection with the investigation, but it is intended to proceed with it as early as possible. I think it unlikely that the requirements of the work will necessitate further reference to an outside actuary, and that it will be found practicable to carry it to completion by an officer in our own service possessing actuarial qualifications.
In the circumstances, I am not in a position to say when a report will be available.
Can the Minister say whether it may be available in one, two, three or four years' time, approximately?
I cannot say.
So that it may take four or five years?
The Deputy could go on to 100 years. I am simply not going to answer that question, because I do not know.
In view of the fact that it may affect the position in relation to men who are already in the service, and that they are depending on that, and that it is of vital interest to them, surely the Minister could say whether it is going to be nearer to two years than to five years?
I am simply not in a position to answer that question. All I can say is that it will be done as early as possible.