asked the Minister for Finance whether the Irish Government have any representative on the Pensions Appeal Board in Dublin; whether he is aware that recently the British Pensions Board have made considerable reductions in pensions to dependents of Irish soldiers who were killed in the Great War; whether he is aware that the reductions which applied to Irish dependents were based on an English cost of living figure, if he will take steps to see that Appeals are not rejected or pensions reduced on citizens of the Free State without first satisfying the Free State Government or its representative that such decisions are justified.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS OF THE GREAT WAR.
The administration of British military pensions is not a matter in which the Government of the Irish Free State is officially concerned. I am, however, taking steps to have the representations contained in the Deputy's question brought to the notice of the appropriate British authority.
Arising out of the Minister's reply to this question, I beg to ask if it is correct to say that dependents' allowances have been reduced by 50 per cent? I am aware that such a reduction has been made in the Counties of Longford and Westmeath, which I represent, and I desire to know if the reduction is a general one.
I am not aware of any reduction.
As Chairman of the Westmeath Pensions Committee, I am aware that such a reduction has been made.