asked the Minister for Finance the date he notified representatives of Civil Service widows of his intention of appointing an actuary to examine the Civil Service pension scheme with a view to seeing whether the claims of the pre-1968 widows could be satisfied within the financial resources of the present scheme; the date the actuary was appointed; and when the actuary's report is expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Widows.
20.
In a letter of 14th August, 1972, replying to representations on behalf of the Association of Widows of Civil Servants I indicated my intention of arranging to have an actuarial survey carried out on the widows' and children's pension scheme. A number of inquiries were subsequently made in regard to a suitable appointment and interviews were held with two actuaries. Following these inquiries preliminary actuarial work was commenced, in advance of the making by me of a formal appointment on 28th November, 1972. As the survey will involve the compilation and processing of a great amount of data, a good deal of which is not readily available, it is not possible to specify a completion date at this stage.
Is the Minister aware that there is concern at the slow pace at which this matter has been handled, and would he agree that he agreed verbally to this in June and confirmed it in writing in August? The fact that it took five months to appoint an actuary is a bit disturbing. Will he assure us that there is no question of feet being dragged on this issue so that it will be left over until a general review takes place next July, and that it will be processed rapidly at this point in time in view of its urgency? Is he aware that a number of these widows have died without having received any benefit from the Minister's promise?
The only thing I promised was to have the actuarial review carried out and then to examine the position. The position is that I have given instructions that this is to be treated as a matter of top priority and it is being so treated. As I have said, a certain amount of preliminary work was carried out before the formal appointment was made.
Can the Minister say how long it is expected to take?
I have indicated that I cannot say, because a great deal of data is required which is not readily available and which has to be compiled and processed. It has been made clear to everybody concerned including the actuary, that this is an urgent and top priority.
Civil servants' ideas of urgency and priorities are not always those of other people.
The position is clear to all concerned.