asked the Minister for Education the number of pensioned teachers who are in receipt of pensions of less than 30/- per week; and if he will consider giving these teachers a gratuity immediately so that they may not exist in want during the coming Christmas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensioned Teachers.
The number of pensioned national teachers who are in receipt of pensions of less than 30/- a week is 449. The majority of these cases are pensions based on short service due to disablement or other special reasons.
As I have already stated in reply to questions, the granting of increases in the pensions paid to national teacher pensioners is receiving urgent and sympathetic consideration by the Government.
It would not be feasible to segregate this particular group from the general body of teacher pensioners and deal separately with them.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that pensioned teachers suffer undeserved hardship due to the fact that no increase in their pensions has taken place concurrent with the increase in the cost of living and if he will take steps to ensure forthwith the favourable consideration of their meritorious claim.
As I stated in replies to similar questions on the 17th and 18th November last, the question of granting increases in the pensions paid to national teachers has been under urgent and sympathetic consideration by the Government for some time. The delay in completing the review in this matter and announcing a decision arises from the fact that it is part of a general pension problem, and that it can only be decided in the light of the budgetary position for next year which is at present under examination.
I would like to be assured of the Minister's sympathetic consideration of the case for pensioned teachers.
The Deputy can be absolutely assured of that.
Thank you.