asked the Minister for Finance when the first ex-gratia payments will be made to the widows of public servants in accordance with his Budget statement.
35.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows of Public Servants.
34.
asked the Minister for Finance when he expects to be in a position to make payments to the widows of deceased civil servants as announced in his Budget speech.
36.
asked the Minister for Finance (a) why the ex-gratia pension granted to widows of civil servants as announced in the Budget has not yet been paid, (b) when he proposes to commence payment of such pensions, (c) whether, in view of the inordinate delay, he will make retrospective payment and (d) whether, if there are delays in processing some applications, he will make arrangements to commence payment to the other applicants immediately so as to relieve the very real hardship which exists in some cases.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together.
The payment of pensions to the widows of pensionable public servants who retired or died before 23rd July, 1968, will operate with effect as from 1st October, 1969. I indicated in the Budget statement that the establishment of the necessary administrative machinery to process the large number of applications received would take some time. There may, therefore, be some delay before payments can be made in all cases. However, every effort is being made to expedite the issue of awards including payment of arrears from the 1st October.