asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that a grave injustice is being done to many postmen throughout the country in that no pension scheme is in operation for unestablished and auxiliary postmen; and if he will extend pension rights immediately to unestablished and auxiliary postmen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions for Unestablished Postmen.
10.
A pension cannot be awarded under the existing Superannuation Acts to unestablished or auxiliary postmen, and the question of extending the scope of these Acts is one which the Minister for Finance would have to consider in relation to the State service as a whole. Although the grades mentioned in the Deputy's question are not entitled to a pension, gratuities are paid in respect of retirement at the age of 60 years or over, or in the case of early retirement due to ill-health, or on death in service, provided they have at least seven years service. Moreover, special competitions are held from time to time which give opportunities to officers in the grades in question to qualify for establishment and thus for pension.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that that type of answer is worn out as far as this class of worker is concerned? Will he not agree it is about time we thought of providing pensions for these State employees? As the Parliamentary Secretary knows, they are one of the few classes of State employees without pension rights. Surely it is about time the Government thought of the small man? They are doing fairly well so far as the big fellow is concerned. There is no justification for a continuance of the present position whereby unestablished and auxiliary postmen come to the end of their time with only a small gratuity after years of service to the State. Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that he, as deputy head of the Post Office, should ensure that the Minister for Finance will see to this matter and provide pensions for these people?
That is specifically a matter for——
These men are forgotten. Their case should be taken up by the Taoiseach or by some other Minister.
They are not able to subscribe to Taca.