asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce proposals for legislation to amend the Military Service Pensions Acts so as to permit men who gave long service in the I.R.A. or in the National Army to be paid their full pensions without the percentage abatement being applied to the extent that it now prevents service men who are employed in the Office of Public Works, in municipal employment and with local authorities getting the full benefits of their pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions Acts.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Defence if it is his intention to make provision to increase the Old I.R.A. pension payable under the Military Service (Pensions) Acts, 1924 and 1934, and if it is his intention to introduce proposals for legislation to repeal Section 8 of the said Acts.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The position in these cases is being examined but I am not yet in a position to say what the result of that examination may be.
Might I ask the Minister to consider the introduction of a sliding scale whereby these pensions, particularly those payable to 1916 men, would be anchored to the cost of living? These men are old men now. They have not very long to live. In the majority of cases it would afford them a great measure of relief in relation to increasing prices if their pensions were anchored to the cost-of-living figure. Let the Minister consider that.