asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that members of the Garda on four-hour light duty who have reached 30 years' service must retire or be discharged as medically unfit; and, if so, if, in view of the hardship inflicted on such men and their families, he will consider retaining their services until they reach the age of 63 years, considering the small number of men affected by this regulation who are consequently deprived of full gratuity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Service.
36.
The Garda Síochána retirement regulations provide for the retirement of a member of the Force whenever the surgeon certifies that he is so incapacitated by infirmity of mind or body as to be unable to perform the normal duties and that his incapacity is or is likely to be permanent.
The retirement of six members of garda rank so certified by the surgeon has been ordered. Four of them qualify for the maximum retiring gratuity of £1,713 and the other two for gratuities of £1,599. Each of them qualifies for full pension of £529 a year.
Is it not a fact that these six gentlemen have been on what is known as four-hour light duty for the past number of years and would the Minister not consider retaining them until they reach the age of 63 years to enable two of them to qualify for the maximum gratuity just as the other four did?
This is a matter for the surgeon, under the regulations. The implications of the Deputy's question are all wrong.
They are still fit for four-hour daily light duty and would the Minister not give these two gentlemen who are now being thrown out the opportunity of qualifying for the full gratuity?
This has been a matter of routine since 1922. It is a question of certification by the surgeon.
You had not men with 30 years' service in 1922 or in 1932 or in 1942, but you have them now.
I will look into that but I am afraid that I am bound by the surgeon's certificate. This is a commonsense matter.