asked the Minister for Finance the reasons for the difference between the estimated and actual cost of the concession in respect of pensions to widows of public servants who died before 23rd July, 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Servants' Widows Pensions.
87.
I assume the Deputy refers to the outcome of the Estimate provision for 1970-71. As this was the first full year of the scheme's operation, the estimate was necessarily a tentative one and was prepared in the absence of detailed information about the numbers involved and the varying levels of pensions which would be payable.
Hear, hear.
88.
asked the Minister for Finance the cost of providing widows of civil servants with half-pensions; and if he will now provide full pensions for such widows.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the ex gratia pension scheme for widows of civil servants. The amount provided for the scheme in the current financial year is £370,000 plus an additional £9,500 in respect of pensions increases. New applications, however, continue to be received and it is likely that expenditure will be in excess of the provision. I do not propose to equate benefits under the scheme with those provided under the contributory scheme.