asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, with a view to keeping CIE pensions in line with the fall in the value of money, he is prepared to receive the deputation from CIE pensioners as requested by the national delegate conference of the CIE Pensioners Association in the letter addressed to him by the general secretary of the association on 11th March, 1971.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Pensioners.
20.
Pensioners who retired before 1st April, 1963, and who were not included in the recommendations of the Commission on CIE Pensions and Sickness Benefit Payments have, at the request of the Government, been granted by CIE a number of ex gratia increases in their pensions, most recently an increase of 50p per week with effect from 1st March, 1970. The minimum total income of married pre-April, 1963, pensioners now amounts to £10.25 a week.
As recommended by the commission, pensions payable since 1st April, 1963, are intended, together with social welfare benefits, to provide a total income of about two-thirds of retiring wages. Thus in the case of a man over 70 years the minimum income is £10.67½ while the maximum in a similar case is £13.17½.
I wrote to the general secretary of the association on 24th March, 1971, in reply to his letter of 11th March and explained the position fully. The liabilities of the CIE wages grade pensions fund greatly exceed the amounts standing to the credit of the schemes. The financial position of CIE is such as to exclude any further increases in pensions unless the members of the schemes agree to pay increased contributions to cover the extra costs.