asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that pre-1950 retired secondary teachers are distressed by the great delay in payment of the promised gratuities and if he will now indicate when he hopes to be able to authorise payment of their gratuities to them.

asked the Minister for Education when he proposes to grant the lump sum on retirement already promised to the pre-1950 retired secondary school teachers.

asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to pay a gratuity to teachers who retired prior to 1950, and, if so, when.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22 and 23 together.

Payment of the lump sum to secondary teachers who were on pension on the 1st January, 1950, falls to be set out of the pension fund established under the secondary teachers' superannuation scheme. In order to make such payment the superannuation schemes must be amended. I expect to be able to introduce the necessary amending legislation when the House resumes after the summer recess.