asked the Minister for Defence if he is yet in a position to state when it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation to increase the amounts payable to Old I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan members who are in receipt of special allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Allowances and Disability Pensions.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state when he proposes to introduce proposals for legislation to increase disability pensions and special allowances.
With your permission. a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
I hope to have the text of the Army Pensions Bill, 1953, which will provide for certain increases in the pensionsand allowances (including special allowances) payable under the Army Pensions Acts, ready for circulation to Deputies in the very near future.
Would the Minister be able to divulge at this stage whether or not these allowances and increases will be payable from the same date as were the military service pensions?
Probably. We hope to circulate the Bill in the very near future.
The Minister appreciates how anxious the people affected are?
I do.
Is it intended to ask the House to enact the legislation to which the Minister has just referred before the Recess?
That would be very desirable if it could be done. Unfortunately, it has been held up. It is a technical Bill. Now that we have it, since it will confer very valuable benefits on the people concerned, I hope the House will deal with it expeditiously.
I am sure everybody will be anxious to extend co-operation to the Minister in the passing of this necessary legislation.