asked the Minister for Education if he will make the necessary financial provision in the Estimates for his Department for the financial year 1958-1959 for the payment of that portion of the retiring gratuity still withheld from the pre-1950 pensioned teachers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pre-1950 Pensioned Teachers' Gratuities.
In regard to this question I will quote for the Deputy the statement, the terms of which were approved by the Government in July last and which was circulated to the parties who had made representations in the matter. This statement read:—
"The Government have again given full consideration to the representations made in regard to the lump sum payments to teachers who retired prior to the 1st January, 1950. The Government decided in 1953 that the concessions then made were the maximum which circumstances would permit and the public interest would warrant. They are satisfied that nothing has occurred in the meantime which would call for the altering of that decision. It is regretted, therefore, that any request for the making of payments other than chose already made cannot be favourably considered."
I have nothing to add to this statement except to say that in accordance with it there is no question of including any financial provision in the Estimates for 1958-59 for making further ex-gratia payments to these teachers.
Is the House to assume, therefore, that during the lifetime of this Government there is no possibility of making the payment of these grants?
I think the Deputy can accept that as much as he accepted it during the lifetime of the previous Government. There can be no such possibility, because of my predecessor's statement that —
"The principle has not been conceded, and cannot be conceded, that revisions in superannuation conditions introduced for serving teachers should be applicable to those who had already retired."
The statement was on much the same lines as the statement I issued.
Does it follow therefore that the present Minister will follow on the same line as the previous Minister? Could he not try to do something better?