asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the position regarding superannuation of a District Court clerk who was appointed a District Court registrar under the First Dáil, and acted in that capacity until the courts established by the First Dáil were abolished in October, 1922, and was subsequently appointed District Court clerk on the establishment of the Free State courts at the end of 1922 or early in 1923.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Superannuation of District Court. Clerk.
A District Court clerk of the class described in the question holds pensionable office under and in accordance with the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, provided he has been granted a certificate of qualification by the Civil Service Commissioners under the Civil Service Regulations Acts or under Section 62 of the Court Officers Act, 1926. Service in the capacity of Dáil court clerk or registrar does not, however, count for pension purposes as, in no case, has unestablished service prior to the 1st January, 1927, been allowed so to count.
Only a small number of clerks have, in fact, up to the present obtained certificates of qualification. It is expected, however, that under Section 3 of the Court Officers Bill, which is at present before the Dáil, a large number of clerks who are still unestablished, including some who had given service in connection with Dáil courts, will be eligible for the grant of certificates of qualification and will be able thereby to acquire pensionable status.