asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of the considerable increase in the prices of essential foodstuffs, he will introduce proposals for legislation for the purpose of increasing, by way of temporary bonus or otherwise, the pensions payable to members of the Old I.R.A., especially in those cases in which the recipient depends almost entirely on a small pension for the maintenance of himself and his dependents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Pensioners.
Mr. Corish
It is not proposed to introduce amending legislation as suggested by the Deputy. The Deputy will recollect that pensioners under the Military Service Pensions Acts who are incapable of earning their livelihood by reason of age or permanent infirmity are eligible to apply for the grant of special allowances under the Army Pensions Acts, 1943-1946.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that military service pensions payable to Old I.R.A. pensioners cease on the death of the pensioner; that many of these pensioners have left widows and orphans entirely unprovided for; and whether, having regard to the services rendered the country by such members of the Old I.R.A. and the hardship that many families have to endure, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to amend the Military Service Pensions Acts with a view to extending such pensions to widows of pensioners with families for a limited period following the death of such pensioners.
The reply to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. It is not proposed to amend the Military Service Pensions Acts in the manner suggested by the Deputy.