asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state whether in relation to the superannuation rights of county council employees he is aware of the practice of local authorities to switch men from road and other work directly under the council to work on schemes sponsored by the Special Employment Schemes Office; and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure that work under such schemes will count for superannuation purposes in the employment of county council employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Employees' Superannuation.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. Employment under the Special Employment Schemes Office is not employment under a local authority. It is given to relieve unemployment and distress and is not therefore employment that could reasonably reckon for pension purposes. Section 2 of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, prohibits, except for supervisory workers, the reckoning of such service.