Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956
What is this act about?
This law is about increasing certain pensions paid for public service. It sets out how these pensions will be increased and who is eligible for these increases.
Who it applies to: Recipients of pensions for public service, including those from local authorities, harbour authorities, and mental hospital authorities; Individuals whose pensions are listed in the Schedule of the Act or referred to in Section 7.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area of law
- Social security
- Articles
- 12
- Source
- irishstatutebook.ie
- Text retrieved
- Explanation updated
What does this act regulate?
- The calculation of an "appropriate sum" for pension increases based on the pension amount.
- Increases for different categories of scheduled pensions (Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV).
- Increases for certain other pensions not explicitly scheduled.
- The commencement date for these increases.
Who does this act apply to?
- Recipients of pensions for public service, including those from local authorities, harbour authorities, and mental hospital authorities.
- Individuals whose pensions are listed in the Schedule of the Act or referred to in Section 7.
What are the key points?
- Pensions are increased by an "appropriate sum" which varies based on the pension's annual amount:
* Up to £100 a year: 15% of the pension.
* Over £100 but not over £125 a year: £15 a year.
* Over £125 but not over £150 a year: 12% of the pension.
* Over £150 but not over £200 a year: £18 a year.
* Over £200 but not over £300 a year: 9% of the pension.
* Over £300 but not over £450 a year: £27 a year.
* Over £450 a year: 6% of the pension.
- Some scheduled pensions (Part I and Part II) are increased by the appropriate sum or the difference between the current pension and what would be payable for equivalent status and service if service ended on a "relevant day" (e.g., 1st November 1952, 1st April 1953, 1st January 1953), whichever is less.
- Pensions for service ending before 1st August 1956, but paid later, are treated as if they were paid on 1st August 1956, for the purpose of this Act.
- There are specific provisions for pensions affected by the "super-cut" arrangement, allowing for an increase by the difference if it's greater than the appropriate sum.
Social security
Legal text
Legal text
Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1956 Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956 Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 44 of 1956.
PENSIONS (INCREASE) ACT, 1956.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section
Section 1
Interpretation.
Section 2
Appropriate sum.
Section 3
Increase of scheduled (Part I) pension.
Section 4
Increase of scheduled (Part II) pension.
Section 5
Increase of scheduled (Part III) pension.
Section 6
Increase of scheduled (Part IV) pension.
Section 7
Increase of certain other pensions.
Section 8
Commencement of increase.
Section 9
Grant of certain increases.
Section 10
Supplemental provisions.
Section 11
General restriction.
Section 12
Short title.
SCHEDULE.
Acts Referred to Harbours Act, 1946 No. 9 of 1946 Mental Treatment Act, 1945 No. 19 of 1945 Pensions (Increase) Act, 1950 No. 3 of 1950 Superannuation Act, 1947 No. 29 of 1947 Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948 No. 4 of 1948 Social Welfare Act, 1952 No. 11 of 1952 Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925 No. 7 of 1925 Courts of Justice Act, 1924 No. 10 of 1924 Courts of Justice Act, 1936 No. 48 of 1936 Courts of Justice Act, 1947 No. 20 of 1947 Comptroller and Auditor-General Act, 1923 No. 1 of 1923 Comptroller and Auditor-General (Amendment) Act, 1944 No. 19 of 1944 Griffith Settlement Act, 1923 No. 5 of 1923 Executive Powers (Consequential Provisions) Act, 1937 No. 20 of 1937 Clerk of Seanad Éireann (Compensation) Act, 1939 No. 16 of 1939 Court Officers Act, 1945 No. 25 of 1945 Local Government Act, 1936 No. 46 of 1936 Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950 ( S.I. No. 154 of 1950 ) Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925 ( S.R. & O., No. 63 of 1925 ) Number 44 of 1956.
PENSIONS (INCREASE) ACT, 1956.
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCREASE OF CERTAIN PENSIONS PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF PUBLIC SERVICE. [18th December, 1956.] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:— Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act— “the appropriate sum” has the meaning appropriate in accordance with section 2 of this Act; “harbour authority” means a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946 (No. 9 of 1946); “local authority” means any of the following bodies : (a) a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Acts, 1925 to 1955, (b) a vocational education committee, (c) a committee of agriculture, (d) a school attendance committee, (e) the Dublin Fever Hospital Board, (f) the former Cork Fever Hospital Board; “mental hospital authority” means a mental hospital authority within the meaning of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945 (No. 19 of 1945); “scheduled pension” means a pension or allowance specified in the Schedule to this Act and, where the expression comprises a reference to a particular Part of that Schedule, means a pension or allowance specified in that Part.
Appropriate sum.
2.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, for the purposes of this Act the appropriate sum in relation to a scheduled pension shall be— (a) where the amount of the pension does not exceed £100 a year, 15 per cent. of the amount of the pension, (b) where the amount of the pension exceeds £100 a year but does not exceed £125 a year, £15 a year, (c) where the amount of the pension exceeds £125 a year but does not exceed £150 a year, 12 per cent. of the amount of the pension, (d) where the amount of the pension exceeds £150 a year but does not exceed £200 a year, £18 a year, (e) where the amount of the pension exceeds £200 a year but does not exceed £300 a year, 9 per cent. of the amount of the pension, (f) where the amount of the pension exceeds £300 a year, but does not exceed £450 a year, £27 a year, (g) where the amount of the pension exceeds £450 a year, 6 per cent. of the amount of the pension.
Increase of scheduled (Part I) pension.
3.—(1) A scheduled (Part I) pension specified in paragraph (f), (l) or (m) of Part I of the Schedule to this Act or which is in respect of service which ended before the 15th day of January, 1951, shall be increased by the appropriate sum.
Increase of scheduled (Part II) pension.
4.—(1) A scheduled (Part II) pension specified in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) or in paragraph (b) or (c) of Part II of the Schedule to this Act shall be increased by the appropriate sum.
Increase of scheduled (Part III) pension.
5.—(1) The local authority who granted a scheduled (Part III) pension specified in paragraph (a) of Part III of the Schedule to this Act may grant one increase (and no more) of the pension, and the increase shall be an increase to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister, or is in accordance with an approval which is applicable to the pension and which has been given by the Minister in respect of a class of such pensions.
Increase of scheduled (Part IV) pension.
6.—(1) The harbour authority who granted a scheduled (Part IV) pension may, within twelve months after the passing of this Act, grant one increase (and no more) of the pension.
Increase of certain other pensions.
7.—(1) Where a pension— (a) was granted in respect of service which ended on or after the 1st day of November, 1952, (b) was computed in whole or in part by reference to the average annual amount of salary or weekly rate of pay over a period which commenced before the 1st day of November, 1952, and ended before the 1st day of November, 1955, (c) would have been increased under section 3 of this Act if the service had ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, and (d) is not a pension to be increased under any provision of this Act, the pension shall be increased by— (i) one-twelfth of the appropriate sum in respect of every period of three months before the 1st day of November, 1952, included in the period referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, or (ii) the difference between the amount of the pension and the amount that would be payable if the pension were computed by reference to an annual average amount of salary or weekly pay determined as if the rate of annual salary or weekly pay which first commenced to be paid on the 1st day of November, 1952, had been in effect for the whole of the period referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, whichever is the less.
Commencement of increase.
8.—An increase under this Act shall, save as otherwise provided by this Act, have effect from (and inclusive of) the day of the commencement of the pension or the 1st day of August, 1956, whichever is the later.
Grant of certain increases.
9.—(1) An increase under this Act of a scheduled (Part I) or scheduled (Part II) pension shall be granted by— (a) in the case of a pension specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) in Part I of the Schedule to this Act, the Minister for Education, (b) in the case of a pension specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of Part I of the Schedule to this Act or in paragraph (a) of Part II of that Schedule, the Minister for Justice, (c) in the case of a scheduled (Part I) pension in respect of service which ended in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, and (d) in any other case, the Minister for Finance.
Supplemental provisions.
10.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every provision, being a provision which was made by or under statute and which applied in relation to a pension increased under this Act before such increase, shall apply to the pension as so increased, including, in particular, every such provision with respect to the fund, moneys or other source out of which the pension is to be paid or with respect to the manner in which the cost of the pension is to be borne, defrayed or contributed to.
General restriction.
11.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorising an increase in— (a) any compensation payable under Article 10 of the Treaty of 1921, (b) any allowance or payment not being a scheduled pension or a pension referred to in section 7 of this Act, or (c) any gratuity.
Short title.
12.—This Act may be cited as the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956.
SCHEDULE.
Scheduled Pensions.
Section 1
.
Part I.
A pension or allowance which was in course of payment in whole or in part on the 1st day of August, 1956, and which was— (a) a pension granted under the National School Teachers (Ireland) Act, 1879 , (b) a pension granted under the National School Teachers' Superannuation Schemes, 1934 to 1954, in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, (c) a pension granted under the Secondary Teachers' Superannuation Schemes, 1929 to 1956, in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, (d) a pension or allowance granted under the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1883 , as amended by the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1908, the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1914, the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1916, the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1918, and the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1919 , in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, not being a pension granted under the Dublin Metropolitan Police Pensions Orders, 1922 and 1924, or those orders as varied by the Garda Síochána Pensions Orders, 1925 to 1955, to or in respect of a person who became a member of the amalgamated force under the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925 (No. 7 of 1925), (e) a pension granted under the Garda Síochána Pensions Orders, 1925 to 1955, or the Dublin Metropolitan Police Pensions Orders, 1922 and 1924, or those orders as varied by the Garda Síochána Pensions Orders, 1925 to 1955, in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, not being a pension specified in the foregoing paragraph or a widow's pension or a child's allowance, (f) a pension granted under the Royal Irish Constabulary (Resigned and Dismissed) Pensions Orders, 1924, 1929, 1936 and 1949, not being a widow's pension, (g) an annual allowance granted under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1954, in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, (h) an annual allowance granted under a warrant made under section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887 , in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, (i) a special annual allowance granted by way of compensation under section 7 of the Superannuation Act, 1859 , or section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1909 , in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, (j) a pension granted under the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 (No. 10 of 1924), the Courts of Justice Act, 1936 (No. 48 of 1936), and the Courts of Justice Act, 1947
(No. 20 of 1947), in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of April, 1953, (k) a pension granted under the Comptroller and Auditor-General Act, 1923 (No. 1 of 1923), and the Comptroller and Auditor-General (Amendment) Act, 1944 (No. 19 of 1944), in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of April, 1953, (l) a pension granted under the Griffith Settlement Act, 1923 (No. 5 of 1923), (m) a pension granted under the Executive Powers (Consequential Provisions) Act, 1937 (No. 20 of 1937), (n) a pension granted in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of January, 1953, to a person who had been employed by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland in relation to the care or conservancy of the navigation or the drainage of the River Shannon or any tributary thereof or of works constructed for the improvement of such navigation or drainage, (o) a pension granted by the former National Health Insurance Society to a person under the superannuation arrangements approved of by that Society, (p) a compensation allowance payable under the Clerk of Seanad Éireann (Compensation) Act, 1939 (No. 16 of 1939), or (q) a pension granted under section 4 of the Court Officers Act, 1945 (No. 25 of 1945), in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952.
Part II.
(a) (i) A widow's pension granted whether before or after the passing of this Act under Scale (i) in paragraph (a) of Part II of the First Schedule to the Dublin Metropolitan Police Pensions Order, 1922, as amended by the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950 ( S.R. & O., No. 154 of 1950 ), or under Scale (i) in Paragraph A of Part II of the First Schedule to the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925 ( S.R. & O., No. 63 of 1925 ), as amended by the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950. (ii) A widow's ordinary pension granted whether before or after the passing of this Act under Scale (ii) in paragraph (a) in Part II of the First Schedule to the Dublin Metropolitan Police Pensions Order, 1922, or under Scale (ii) in Paragraph A in Part II of the First Schedule to the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925, or a widow's special pension calculated under rule 7 in paragraph (a) of Part II of the First Schedule to the Dublin Metropolitan Police Pensions Order, 1922, as amended by the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950, or under subparagraph 2 of Paragraph A in Part II of the First Schedule to the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1925, as amended by the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950. (b) A widow's pension granted whether before or after the passing of this Act under the Royal Irish Constabulary (Resigned and Dismissed) Pensions Orders, 1924, 1929, 1936 and 1949. (c) A widow's pension or child's allowance granted whether before or after the passing of this Act under the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Acts, 1938 to 1952.
Part III.
(a) A pension or allowance which was granted by a local authority and which was in course of payment in whole or in part on the 1st day of August, 1956, being— (i) a pension or allowance which was granted in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, or where in the opinion of the Minister special circumstances existed in relation to any class or classes of officers or servants of a local authority and the pension or allowance is in relation to a member of that class or one of those classes, which ended before a day not later than the 6th day of April, 1953, determined by the local authority with the consent of the Minister, or (ii) a pension or allowance which was computed in whole or in part by reference to the average annual amount of pensionable remuneration over a period which commenced not less than three months before the 1st day of November, 1952, or, where in the opinion of the Minister special circumstances existed in relation to any class or classes of officers or servants of a local authority and the pension or allowance is in relation to a member of that class or one of those classes, which commenced not less than three months before a day not later than the 6th day of April, 1953, determined by the local authority with the consent of the Minister. (b) A pension which is payable by the Minister for Local Government by virtue of subsection (9) of section 5 of the Local Government Act, 1936 (No. 46 of 1936), or by virtue of section 70 (A) of the Dublin Corporation Act, 1890, and section 66 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 , and which was in course of payment in whole or in part on the 1st day of August, 1956.
Part IV.
A pension or allowance which was granted by a harbour authority and which was in course of payment in whole or in part on the 1st day of August, 1956, being— (i) a pension or allowance which was granted in respect of service which ended before the 1st day of November, 1952, or, where in the opinion of the Minister for Industry and Commerce special circumstances existed in relation to any class or classes of officers or servants of a harbour authority and the pension or allowance is in relation to a member of that class or one of those classes, which ended before a day not later than the 6th day of April, 1953, determined by the harbour authority with the consent of that Minister, or (ii) a pension or allowance which was computed in whole or in part by reference to the average annual amount of pensionable remuneration over a period which commenced not less than three months before the 1st day of November, 1952, or, where in the opinion of the Minister for Industry and Commerce special circumstances existed in relation to any class or classes of officers or servants of a harbour authority and the pension or allowance is in relation to a member of that class or one of those classes, which commenced not less than three months before a day not later than the 6th day of April, 1953, determined by the harbour authority with the consent of that Minister.
Privacy Statement Accessibility European Legislation Identifier (PDF) Open Data License Ráiteas Príobháideachais Inrochtaineacht Aitheantóir Eorpach Reachtaíochta (ELI) Ceadúnas Sonraí Oscailte Liosta Fianán © Government of Ireland. Oireachtas Copyright Material is reproduced with the permission of the Houses of the Oireachtas © Rialtas na hÉireann. Atáirgtear ábhar faoi Chóipcheart le cead ó Thithe an Oireachtais