asked the Minister for Finance if any Departmental review has been undertaken of the pension levels of pensioned staff of State-sponsored bodies to ensure that they are given parity level comparable to those granted in the recent budget to public service pensioners; and if he will state the number of such pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State-Sponsored Bodies Pensioners.
28.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no". Increases in pensions for former employees of State-sponsored bodies are a matter for the bodies concerned in the first instance, due regard being had to the resources available; where ministerial approval for a proposed increase is sought it is given provided the increase is not greater than increases being granted to public service pensioners generally.
The number of pensioned staff of State-sponsored bodies is not available at the moment. I have, however, taken steps to ascertain the necessary information and I will notify the Deputy when the figures are received.
May we take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that where a State-sponsored body decide to review substantially the pension levels of their pensioners, sanction will be given by the Department of Finance?
That is generally the case provided that the increases sought are not excessive or greater than those sought——
If they give them parity the Department will sanction it?
That is it.