asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce a pension scheme for social welfare agents; and, if not, if he will make adequate provision for such people by way of realistic gratuity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Agents.
11.
As stated in reply to a similar question on the 5th May last, local agents were transferred from the former National Health Insurance Society to my Department on the 1st August, 1950. Under the terms of their employment with the society they were temporary part-time officials who were not entitled to pension or gratuity on retirement, and, in fact, their remuneration had an element in it by way of compensation for their non-pensionability. Since coming into the Civil Service they have continued to be employed on a part-time, temporary basis and, as in the case of other groups in this category, are not entitled to pensions. It would not be practicable or, indeed, desirable, to afford one group exceptional treatment. As for the question of gratuities, some years ago my Department succeeded in having agents made eligible for gratuities and agents who have retired since the 1st April, 1967, have been paid them. The same difficulties as in the case of pensions would apply in according exceptional treatment in the matter of gratuities.
Would the Minister give some details of the element of compensation to which he has referred and which he said is included in the remuneration paid to these agents?
If the Deputy puts down a separate question I shall give the details of this.
Would the Minister say on what basis the gratuity is assessed?
It is assessed, naturally, on the rate of remuneration prior to retirement.
It is related to the remuneration they had on retirement and to their years of service?
Yes.
Can the Minister give us the figures?
I would not like to——
How much for each year?
I am not sure what portion of the final salary it is.
The Minister is very badly briefed today.
I could easily give figures but there are variations. The best thing the Deputy could do is to put down a question asking for these two things to be covered.
That is the sort of answer we got from Deputy Blaney and Deputy Boland.