Vol. 495 No. 7
493 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if financial provision has been made to provide for an adjustment in the pensions of existing retired members, including widows of deceased members in view of the recent increase in salaries of craftsmen and general operatives in both local authorities and health boards; and the date from which these adjustments will operate. [21352/98]
Pensioners may have their pensions revised to take account of pay increases with effect from the dates on which such increases are granted to serving staff. It is a matter for each local authority to make appropriate provision for its own pay and pension costs and no specific funding is available from my Department for this purpose.
Local authority income to meet such costs generally comprises income from rates, fees and charges for goods and services and Government grants. As a result of increased allocations which I have made from the Local Government (Equalisation) Fund in 1998 and from the new Local Government Fund in 1999, local authorities will be greatly assisted in meeting any extra pension costs that may arise.
