asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the hardships suffered at present by persons who retired from the Civil Service by reason of the small pensions granted to them, and whether, in view of the continued increase in the cost of living, he will grant an increase in pensions so as to mitigate these hardships.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Pensioners.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply to a similar question asked by him on the 29th November, 1944. There has been no change in the financial circumstances which would warrant my holding out any hope of being in a position to grant an increase of the kind suggested.
Is the Minister aware (1) that many of those officers who retired on low rates of pension had their pensions calculated by reference to an index figure of 150; (2) that the cost-of-living index figure is now 298, showing an increase of 72 per cent. since those officers retired some years ago; and bearing in mind that substantial increase in the cost of living, does he not consider, especially in the case of lowly paid pensioners, that some effort should be made here, as is being made in Britain and Northern Ireland, to grant an increase to these people to endeavour to assist them in meeting the increased cost of living? Does the Minister not consider that this outstanding case of hardship can be relieved by the State, and, if not, why cannot it?
I have nothing to add to my reply.