asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will arrange to have increases in State pensions brought into effect at the same time as increases for State employees and eliminate the present gap of three months.

No change is contemplated in the arrangement which was introduced in 1974 under which public service pensions are revised on 1st July each year by reference to rates of pay in force on that date.

This matter was considered in the context of the budget last January and the Government decided that the fairest course would be to use available resources to give general tax reliefs to taxpayers and aids to reduce the levels of inflation and unemployment.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if the retired pay of Army officers comes under the headings he stated?

I am not sure, but I do not think so. That is not mentioned here, but I will communicate with the Deputy.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if the retired pay of Army officers differs from the pensions for NCOs and men as covered by this question?

That would be a question for another Minister.

This covers the entire public service. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary should be able to indicate in relation to public servants in the Defence Forces that the retired pay and Army pensions are one and the same thing and are therefore covered by this question?

It is a separate question. This is not dealt with in the Public Service.

Do I take it retired pay differs from pensions?

I do not know.