asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (1) the number of persons in receipt of Easter Week pensions who (a) have reached or exceeded the age of 65, but are not yet 70 years old, (b) have exceeded the age of 70; (2) the number of persons in receipt of pensions under the 1924 and 1934 Acts for service other than Easter Week service who (a) have reached or exceeded the age of 65 years, but are not yet 70 years old, and (b) have exceeded the age of 70, and (3) the average pension of persons in each of the above categories.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Easter Week Pensioners.
I have no information in my Department which would enable me to furnish the particulars required by the Deputy.
Surely it is not correct that the Minister has not got the information in his Department, because recipients of the pensions are compelled to fill in a form at least four times a year stating their ages? I concede that there may be a difficulty in respect to the people referred to in the second part of the question because of their numbers, but in respect to those referred to in the first part of the question, the Minister knows that they do not exceed 2,000 and of that 2,000 50 per cent. would have reached the ages I have asked for.
I think if the Deputy went more closely into the work of the Department which he administered for a considerable number of years, he would be aware of the fact that the information which the pensioner has to supply four times a year is information certifying that the pensioner is still alive.
He has to give his name.
Yes.
And age.
His age has to be given in the case of the allowances.
No, the Minister is misinformed.
My information from the Department is that in the case of pensioners they have no information with regard to age.
They have to give the age and date of birth four times a year.
Perhaps the Deputy would conduct himself for a moment. I know it is a bit of a trial for the Deputy. If my information on that particular point is incorrect, I shall supply Deputy Traynor with the full information he is looking for.
It is incorrect.