Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1957

Vol. 163 No. 5

Committee on Finance. - Vote 16—Superannuation and Retired Allowances.

Dr. Ryan

I move:—

That a sum not exceeding £654,200 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1958, for Pensions, Superannuation, Compensation (including Workmen's Compensation), and Additional and other Allowances and Gratuities under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1956, and sundry other Statutes; Extra-Statutory Pensions, Allowances and Gratuities awarded by the Minister for Finance; fees to Medical Referees and occasional fees to Doctors; Compensation and other Payments in respect of Personal Injuries; etc.

Mr. Sweetman

A Bill was passed to give civil servants the opportunity of commuting part of their pensions and substituting for the pension so commuted an equivalent, according to the life tables of the pension, for the wife or certain dependents. I think it is under this Vote that the practice under that Act should be discussed. I should like the Minister to tell us whether that Act, since it was passed and came into operation, has been availed of to any degree or not. The Civil Service Association were particularly anxious to have it introduced and passed. Now that it has been enacted, it might be of assistance to us to know whether it has been availed of.

Dr. Ryan

I think that very few cases, if any, have come under that Act so far.

Mr. Sweetman

Was it only on the 1st April that it came into operation? I cannot remember, though I should.

Dr. Ryan

Yes, the 1st April.

Mr. Sweetman

Then they have not had much chance yet.

Vote put and agreed to.