Vol. 192 No. 6
asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the general increases in wages granted to State employees and workers in private employment, he proposes to grant increases in pensions to persons who retired from the service of the State at rates of pension substantially lower than those now payable to their successors.
12.
asked the Minister for Finance if any arrangements are being made to increase pensions of retired members of the Garda Síochána who are in receipt of small pensions, and who have not received any increases to meet the increased cost of living.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take questions 10 and 12 together.
A number of pensions increases, the latest of which was in 1960, have been given to retired State employees. The position continues to be kept under review.
In view of the fact that the pensions of those persons who have retired in recent years have sunk substantially because of the increase in the cost of living in the meantime, and having regard to the fact that a general increase in wages is now being granted all round, would the Minister give the House an assurance that the plight of these people living on small pensions will be attended to by the Government as speedily as possible?
I cannot say more than I have said to the Deputy, that the position is being kept under review.
Is there any likelihood that the Minister may introduce legislation to ameliorate the position of the lower-paid pensioners early in the new year?
I hope to bring in a Superannuation Bill early next year, but I am not sure yet whether or not I can deal with this point.
