103 Mr. J. Fahey asked the Minister for Energy the reason for the reduction in the State pension of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if pension at the full rate will be restored.

Up to 1970 retiring forestry workers were only entitled to a pension under the Social Welfare Acts. In 1970 a non-contributory pension scheme for non-established State employees was introduced to supplement their social welfare pensions. The forestry pension is co-ordinated with the social welfare pension so that, in the case of a person with the maximum service of 40 years, the recipient's combined income from the State forestry pension and social welfare schemes should in general be equivalent to half his income prior to retirement.