Tairgim:—
"Go ndeonfar suim nach mó ná £1,118,550 chun slánaithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1960, chun Pinsean Créachta agus Michumais, Pinsean Breise agus Pinsean Fear Pósta, Liúntas agus Aiscí (Uimh. 26 de 1923, Uimh. 12 de 1927, Uimh. 24 de 1932, Uimh. 15 de 1937, Uimh. 2 de 1941, Uimh. 14 de 1943, Uimh. 3 de 1946, agus Uimh. 19 agus 28 de 1949, Uimh. 23 de 1953 agus Uimh. 19 de 1957); Pinsean, Líúntas agus Aisci Seirbhíse Míleata (Uimh. 48 de 1924, Uimh. 26 de 1932, Uimh. 43 de 1934, Uimh. 33 de 1938, Uimh. 5 de 1944, Uimh. 11 agus 34 de 1945, Uimh. 7 agus 29 de 1949, Uimh. 5 de 1953 agus Uimh. 12 de 1957); Pinsean, Liúntas agus Aisci (Uimh. 37 de 1936; Uimh. 9 de 1948; Uimh. 30 de 1950; Uimh. 27 de 1952, Uimh. 4 de 1953 agus Uimh. 17 de 1957); Iocaiochtaí i leith Cúitimh do Chomhaltai den Fhórsa Cosanta Aitiúil (Uimh. 19 de 1946, agus Uimh. 15 de 1949); agus chun Ranníoc agus Costas iolartha ina dtaobh sin, etc.
Milliún, sé chéad, seachtó is seacht míle, cúig chéad is caoga punt méid iomlán an Mheastacháin seo; sé sin, £22,600 de bhreis ar an méid a vótáladh le haghaidh na bliana air-geadais 1958-59. Tá méaduithe de £72,384 ar Fho-Mhirchinn áirithe, agus i bhFo-Mhírchinn eile tá laghduithe a dhéanann £49,784. Ag seo na nithe is cúis leis an méaduithe is mó—Fo-Mhírcheann D—Liúntais agus Aiscí do Chleithiúnaithe, etc.— £3,500; Fo-Mhírcheann H—Scéimeanna Óglaigh na hÉireann (Pinsin)— £45,000 agus Fo-Mhírcheann O— Liúntais Speisialta—£22,600. Seo iad na laghduithe is mó—Fo-Mhírcheann C—Pinsin agus Aiscí Créachta is Míchumais—£10,500 agus Fo-Mhírcheann G—Pinsin Sheirbhíse Míleata—£31,000. Fairis sin, ní gá i mbliana soláthar a dhéanamh don Réiteoir agus don Choiste Comhairlitheach, rud a chosnaigh £7,834 anuraidh.
Maidir leis an soláthar laghdaithe i gcomhair pinsean créachta agus míchumais agus pinsean seirbhíse míleatha, is comhartha é, dá mhéid ár n-aiféala ina thaobh, go bhfuil na daoine lena mbaineann siad-san ag imeacht uainn ó bhliain go chéile.
Is é is mó is cúis leis an soláthar méadaithe i leith liúntais agus aiscí do chleithiúnaithe ná dámhachtana lena bhfuil coinne agus a bheidh le déanamh má achtaítear reachtaíocht atá ar intinn agam a thabhairt isteach go luath.
Ós rud é gurb iad na hoifigigh, na hoifigigh neamh-choimisiúnta agus na fir sa bhreis a bheidh á scor agus á n-urscaoileadh ar pinsean faoi ndear é, ní féidir an soláthar méadaithe i gcomhair íocaíochtaí faoi Scéimeanna Óglaigh na hÉireann (Pinsin) a sheachaint. Is ionann cás don soláthar méadaithe le haghaidh liúntas speisialta mar is ag dul i líonmhaireacht do na daoine atá ag fáil na liúntas sin.
This Estimate, at £1,677,550, stands £22,600 higher than the amount voted for the financial year 1958/59. Increases in a number of the Subheads amount to £72,384, while in others there are decreases which account for £49,784. The principal increases are in Subhead D—Allowances and Gratuities to Dependants, etc.—£3,500; Subhead H—Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes—£45,000 and Subhead O— Special Allowances—£22,600. The main decreases are in Subhead C— Wound and Disability Pensions and Gratuities—£10,500 and Subhead G— Military Service Pensions—£31,000. In addition, provision for the Referee and Advisory Committee, which last year amounted to £7,834, does not recur this year.
The decrease in the provisions for wound and disability pensions and military service pensions is a manifestation, however much we may regret it, of the inevitable action of time. This was not so apparent in previous years in the case of military service pensions, because a number of new pensions was being awarded all the time, and this counterbalanced to some extent the downward trend as a result of deaths. The Referee and Advisory Committee completed, on the 30th September last, the work which was commenced in 1950 pursuant to the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep regret that the Referee, Judge Sheehy, died within a short time after his task had ended.
The increased provision in respect of allowances and gratuities for dependants arises mainly from anticipated awards which will fall to be made if legislation which I propose to introduce soon is enacted. As Deputies are already aware, this legislation will, inter alia, provide for an extension of the date of application for allowances under Part II of the Army Pensions Act, 1953, and it will also contain provision for certain other types of benefit.
Resulting as it does from further retirements and discharges on pension of officers, non-commissioned officers and men, the increase in the provision for payments under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes is unavoidable. There is at present awaiting the approval of this House an amending Scheme—recently approved by the Seanad—which has been made to adjust retired pay, pensions and gratuities in relation to the pay increases which were granted as from April, 1958. The adjustment is to be retrospective so as to include persons who have retired or have been discharged since the beginning of April, 1958, and who were in receipt of the increased rates of pay before retirement or discharge.
The increase for special allowances is likewise the result of the increasing numbers in receipt of such allowances. On the 30th April last, 5,833 special allowances were being paid as compared with 5,544 a year previously. That increase was a nett one; actually 795 allowances were awarded during the twelve months while 506 ceased because of death or other causes. The proposed Amending Bill which I have mentioned already will include a provision to remove the closing date of application for medals, the award of which would render the recipients eligible to apply for special allowances. While it may seem surprising that people should still at this stage be applying for the 1917-1921 Medal, more than 500 applications have been received since the closing date at present laid down—the 18th July, 1958. It can only be assumed that these persons deferred application until they regarded themselves as likely to qualify, on age or other grounds, for special allowances.
In response to requests made to me, I have considered the question of easing further the means test for special allowances. While it has not been possible for me to go as far as some would like, both because of other pressing demands on public funds and because, having regard to the nature and purpose of special allowances, the means test must have some significance, I have nevertheless been able to effect further easements as regards the assessment of the value of free lodging and the earnings of children, and also with regard to free lodging and maintenance reserved under deeds of transfer where the provision of these amenities constitutes a hardship. As well, I propose in the Amending Bill to remove the distinction, for the purposes of the appropriate annual sum, between persons married before the 1st October, 1942, and those married on or after that date. The distinction in question operates to the disadvantage of the latter class.
The Estimate does not, of course, contain specific financial provision in respect of the proposed increases in pensions recently announced in the Budget. To such extent as may prove necessary, these will be covered by a supplementary estimate later in the financial year.
I think that that is all I need say in introducing the Estimate. If I can give any further information which will be of assistance, I shall be glad to do so when replying to the debate.