asked the Minister for Education if he will end the grievance of pensioned teachers by introducing a pension scheme, which will meet with their approval.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teachers' Pension Scheme.
I presume the Deputy has in mind the teachers who retired before 1950. I will therefore 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 reads:—
"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 those 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 making further ex-gratia payments to these teachers or of introducing an amending pension scheme for that purpose.
Can the Minister say is that final? Is that the end of it?
That is final as far as Government decision is concerned. It was equally final, of course, during the period of office of the last Government. The position then is the position still.