asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the continued rise in the cost of living, the Government is prepared to grant to all Government employees, soldiers, Gardaí, teachers, postal workers and retired civil servants an early increase in their pay and pensions, as such an Order would encourage local authorities and employers to do likewise and would go a long way towards removing the cause for strikes and resultant upset in business.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pay and Pension Increases.
Mr. Byrne
As the Deputy is aware, substantial increases, costing £3,683,000 in the current year, have already been granted this year to public servants generally, and provision for meeting these continuing charges from taxation has yet to be made. Further increases to public servants would involve yet more taxation and a consequent further rise in the cost of living for all sections. This would be felt with particular severity by the large body of taxpayers and their families who would not benefit under the Deputy's proposals. The answer to the question must, therefore, be in the negative.
Can he indicate the amount which was included in the Estimates to meet the result of this arbitration?
I can. Nothing.
Is it not true that any charges that come in course of payment properly charged on the revenue for this year will, according to the present estimates of revenue, be amply covered thereby? Is it not true that the increases referred to by the Minister were undertaken in the light of that knowledge?
No. There is no foundation for that statement. They are not covered. They are not provided for in this year's Budget and they are not likely to be covered by this year's revenue.
Are they not fully covered by the revenue as estimated in present receipts?
No. They are not included.
They are, and will be covered.
The Deputy can wait and see.
Are we going to get another set of figures?
The Deputy will get the figures as they emerge and they will not be tampered with.
We will be very careful to investigate it from stem to stern at the end of this year.