asked the Minister for Finance the total number of Civil Service pensioners at the latest convenient date, and the total amount paid in pensions for the last year.

The total number of Civil Service pensioners on 31st December, 1961 was 3,255 and the amount paid by way of pensions for the year ended on the same date was £1,108,475.

56.

asked the Minister for Finance what proportion of expenditure from the Exchequer is in respect of public service pensions.

In the financial year 1960/61 Exchequer expenditure on public service pensions represented approximately 3.7 per cent. of total Exchequer expenditure on non-capital services. This does not, however, take account of other benefits such as lump sums, death gratuities, etc., which, if included, would raise the proportion to approximately 4.7 per cent.

57.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce legislation to relate all public service pensions to salaries and wages currently paid to serving officials of equivalent rank and service; and if he will state the estimated cost annually of implementing such a provision.

58.

andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Finance whether in view of the increases in living costs and the general acceptance of the need for an all-round increase in pensions to meet such increased costs he will take steps to grant comparable increases in pensions paid to all State pensioners.

59.

asked the Minister for Finance if he is now in a position to indicate when he proposes to make arrangements to grant increases in the pensions awarded to retired State and local authority employees when the cost of living was substantially lower than at present.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 57, 58 and 59 together.

Representations from public service pensioners for increases are being examined at present. At this stage I cannot, however, forecast what action, if any, may be taken thereon.

Bearing in mind the considerable shrinking in purchasing power since many of these pensions were fixed and the constant increases now taking place in the prices of commodities, could the Minister at this stage indicate that while it may take some time to give the increases to those concerned he at least admits the principle that increases are overdue and will make early provision for them? Many of these people are suffering dire hardship?

I cannot say any more at the moment than that I am having the matter considered. I hope to be able to reach a decision within three or four weeks.

Would the Minister admit that in principle he accepts that an increase is due?

In principle, I accept that it is worth examination; I do not know what the examination will show.

An examination and no increase is still no good.

Can the Minister say if any increase that will be granted will be made retrospective?

I do not know: I do not think we can make it retrospective.

Can the Minister say that in approaching this matter he will give it favourable and urgent consideration in view of the age of the people involved?

As favourable as I can.

Is it a fact that the case was established by employees of the State and of private employers by the trade unions that great hardship would have ensued if the recent wage increase had not been granted and, in view of that, would the Minister, as the Government's nominee for the payment of State funds, not accept that it is reasonable to give a similar percentage increase to State pensioners?

It is a very big question apart from being a very big financial burden. It is a very big question to examine because there are so many types of pensioners and so many different conditions under which these pensions are granted.

What about the estimated cost?

I do not know what that would be.

No estimate whatever?

We have an estimate of the cost of pensions——

But the estimated cost of implementing the question?

This question?

Yes.

I have not got that.

That is asked.

That is the sort of thing that is being investigated.

I should like to know, not in any way tying the Minister's hands, does he know if it will be £1 million, £2 million or £3 million?

I could not make any estimate.

60.

asked the Minister for Finance when he hopes to introduce and circulate the Superannuation Bill referred to in a reply of 29th November last; and if he will introduce legislation to provide for automatic improvement in all public service pension rates in line with improvements in public service remuneration rates as they may occur from time to time.

Because of the complexity of the matters to be covered, and the pressure of other business, it will be some months before the Superannuation Bill can be introduced.

As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, I would refer him to the reply given to-day to another question put down by him on the subject of pensions increases.

Will any increase in pensions be dependent on this measure?

No.