Calls for retired civil servants in Laois to be paid pension increases immediately

FORMER prison officer and unsuccessful Fianna Fáil general election candidate in Laois Austin Stack is calling for retired civil servants to be paid pension increases immediately.

According to Mr Stack: “All retired civil servants should have received increases of 2% in their pensions from 1 March. However, it has been brought to my attention yet again, that these increases are not being applied in some cases unless a query is received.

“Earlier this year I was informed of a situation where a pensioner had not received numerous pension increases and after I helped the situation was resolved.” 

In the latest incident, Mr Stack said that he was informed about a pensioner in her 80s who informed him, that she had not received the latest increases.

He said: “The excuse that there are 'too many of you' was offered to this pensioner and this is not acceptable. If there was an overpayment it would be deducted immediately. This is a simple matter of adding 2% to the pension and there can be no excuse for not doing so.” 

 “Many pensioners are elderly and cannot access the online payslips which leaves them vulnerable to an underpayment as they just cannot check if the increase has been applied.

“I have today made representations to the Minister for Public Expenditure about this ongoing issue and I would hope that it is resolved immediately,” he said.