Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Mar 1962

Vol. 194 No. 3

Committee on Finance. - Vote 48—Army Pensions.

Aire Cosanta (Gearóid Mac Pharthaláin)

Tairgim:

Go ndeonófar suim fhorlíontach nach mó ná £30,000 chun íoctha an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1962, le hagaidh Pinsin Chréachta agus Mhíchumais, Pinsin Bhreise, agus Pinsin Fear Pósta, Liúntais 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, Uimh. 19 agus 28 de 1949, Uimh. 23 de 1953, Uimh. 19 de 1957, Uimh. 15 de 1959, Uimh. 2 agus 39 de 1960 agus Uimh. 6 de 1961); Pinsin, Liúntais agus Aiscí 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, Uimh. 12 de 1957 agus Uimh. 3 agus 30 de 1960); Pinsin, Liúntais agus Aiscí Uimh. 37 de 1936, Uimh. 9 de 1948, Uimh. 30 de 1950, Uimh. 27 de 1952, Uimh. 4 de 1953, Uimh. 17 de 1957 agus Uimh. 4, 5, 6, 31 agus 33 de 1960, etc.); Iocaíochtaí i leith Cúitimh do Chomhaltaí den Fhórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (Uimh. 19 de 1946, agus Uimh. 15 de 1949); agus le haghaidh Ranníocaí agus Costais iolartha ina dtaobh sin, etc.

This Supplementary Estimate for Army Pensions is for a nett sum of £30,000. As Deputies will see, it is expected that the expenditure under Subheads G and O of the Vote for 1961/62 will exceed substantially the amounts provided. There are also anticipated excesses in two other Subheads—the amounts, however, being negligible. Savings to the extent of £24,530 are anticipated in still other Subheads.

The anticipated excess in Subhead G is attributable to retirements exceeding the numbers provided for, involving payments of retired pay and gratuities. As regards Subhead O, the position is that only a token amount was provided for special lump sum compensation in respect of casualties attributable to service in the Congo. Tragically, and to the very deep regret of us all, there has been a number of such casualties in recent times, and the lump sum payments to the extent of £26,500 have been made or will be made before the end of the financial year. There will, in due course, be a refund by the United Nations of the amount involved.

I do not think that it is necessary for me to say any more about the Supplementary Estimate.

General MacEoin

While there is much comment one can make on the administration of the pensions code, I do not suppose this is the appropriate time to do it. It would be more appropriate on the main Estimate to be introduced in the next financial year.

I am glad to learn the United Nations will refund the £26,000 or most of it that will fall for payment in respect of casualties among United Nations personnel in the Congo. I could not hear the Minister very well but I take it also that the amount in the Vote includes the ordinary increases that have been granted in the pensions scheme, as well as the gratuities that fall to be paid. More gratuities fall to be paid than were anticipated.

Mr. Bartley

Yes; there were more retirements than were anticipated.

General MacEoin

There is one complaint I want to make. I mentioned it before on the Vote and I want to remind the Minister of it again, that is, in relation to the nursing service. The Minister is acting in a very cavalier way about the nursing service of the Army who are doing such good work. An increase in their emoluments is long overdue and it is amazing that the Minister has not done anything about it. They are retiring and going out in the hope that the award will be backdated but there is always the danger in these cases of neglecting—that is the only word I can use—to put the thing into operation.

Mr. Bartley

I should like to tell Deputy MacEoin that discussion of the Army nursing service will be initially more appropriate to the Defence Estimate proper. Apparently it is not ordered for to-day. Perhaps I ought to reserve my remarks until it comes up for discussion. I should like to take this opportunity of assuring Deputy MacEoin, and the others who have spoken on behalf of the Army nursing service, that I have the utmost sympathy with the service; but there is a complication in relation to it, a complication that does not apply to the men in the Army. It was, I think, explained in reply to a question here last week. In general, a separate decision in respect of the Army nursing service is not made when there are negotiations on foot in relation to the general nursing service throughout the country. We wait until we see what the general decision is. It is usual to apply it then.

I do not think there is anything else to be said on this Supplementary Estimate. We shall have the main Estimate very shortly. I understand Defence is one of the earliest, and I take it there will be a full discussion then on this and the other question raised.

General MacEoin

The Minister will not take it this coming week.

Mr. Bartley

We are ready for it, if it is ordered.

General MacEoin

I should prefer the Minister to leave it over to the week after. That would be more suitable for me.

Mr. Bartley

We will remember the Deputy's request but I am not, of course, the final authority in that.

General MacEoin

No, but the Minister could pull on the reins a little.

Vote put and agreed to.