asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that officers of the Defence Forces retired under the age limit in 1946 find their pensions totally inadequate; and, if so, if he will arrange to give special consideration to the claims of these retired officers to increases in their pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of Retired Army Officers.
Officers of the forces who retired prior to the 2nd September, 1946, on retired pay, were granted increases of 30 per cent. with effect from the 1st April, 1949, subject to a ceiling of £450 per annum. Any further increase would have to depend on any decision taken with regard to State pensioners generally.
Does the Minister not consider that the time has been reached when there should be some automatic machinery to deal with the inadequacy of the pensions granted before the recent increase in the cost of living generally? Does the Minister not agree that it is unsatisfactory to have all these matters dealt with piecemeal and repeatedly? Does he not agree that it would be advisable to have machinery set up whereby the matters could be adjusted automatically?
That seems to be a separate question.