asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that under the superannuation revision scheme 1977, servants are not to be disadvantaged as to pensionable service in relation to officers; and if, in view of lay-offs and short-time, which have been developing in the local authorities, he will make regulations under the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1980, or otherwise make an authorisation, to enable lost service days due to lay-offs or shorttime, to be reckoned as effective days for benefit purposes.
Written Answers. - Superannuation Revision Scheme 1977.
231.
The superannuation of local authority officers and servants is governed by the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956, as extended by the Superannuation Revision Scheme, 1977, where applicable. The principles underlying the reckoning of service under the Act and the scheme do not differ as between officers and servants. One such principle is that an officer or servant is not entitled to reckon as service any period in respect of which he is not paid. This is in line with the position in the public service generally. It would not be open to me to make regulations under the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1980, or otherwise to issue a direction that absences due to lay-offs or short-time should be reckoned for superannuation purposes.