asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that during the past 12 months considerable hardship has been caused to persons in receipt of I.R.A. special allowances due to the hold up in payments for periods of three and four months when awards come up for review; whether, in view of the fact that these men have to be proved destitute and incapable of self-support before being granted their allowance, and consequently suffer very much through these delays, he will ensure in future that their cases are reviewed before the end of the current period so as to enable payments to continue automatically without a break.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - I.R.A. Special Allowances.
I am aware that in some cases delay has occurred in the investigation of means of applicants for special allowances which is due to pressure of work on investigation officers. I am endeavouring to have the annual review of these cases carried out so that no break in the continuity of payment may occur between the termination of the old award and the commencement of the new one.