asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of cases where State pensioners have not been paid the increases due since the 1st August 1962; and if he will make arrangements to have payment made in all cases forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increases in State Pensions.
7.
Payment of this year's pensions increases has already been made to the majority of pensioners. Owing to the novel system of increases adopted this year, revision of the older pensions presented more difficulties than usual, but every effort is being made by the Departments concerned to despatch the remaining cases as quickly as possible.
Would the Minister say why in certain cases, such as teachers and former members of the Garda, payment of increases has been delayed, and will he ensure these payments will be made forthwith?
The Deputy perhaps will realise from what I have said that all early cases, that is, the pre-1952 or pre-1953 cases, all had to be calculated individually. There was no opportunity of doing them in classes and it meant a very big number of individual calculations. It is expected, however, that the greater number of the cases, with the exception of a few difficult ones, will be finished within the next week or two and that there will be no case left before Christmas.
Could the Minister say roughly how many persons have not yet received the increase?
In the case of the Garda Síochána, there are about 40 left. In the case of national teachers, there is a big number left, over 1,000. There are only 30 or 40 civil servant cases left and it is the same in regard to Post Office cases.
Does that include local authorities?
No. Local authorities are in a different category. The Minister for Local Government has not yet been able to give a definite direction to the local authorities but it is expected he will be able to do so in a week or two.
May we assume, when the local authority is attended to, that any persons entitled to increased pensions will get whatever back money may be due to them as from 1st August?
They will all date from 1st August.
May we take it all these outstanding cases will be cleared before Christmas?
I hope so.
Including the local authorities?
Yes.