asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that on the disability pension of an insured ex-member of the Defence Forces being raised by decision of the Board of Referees from 80 per cent. to 100 per cent. such ex-member was deprived of his disability benefit of 36/-per week. and this reduced his total income from £4 16s. 5d. to £3 13s. 8d., and, if so, whether he will have the regulations amended to ensure that the position of this case and similar cases will not be worsened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Force Pension Regulations.
Under the Social Welfare (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations made under sub-section (4) of Section 32 of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, no disability benefit is payable when a man is in receipt of a 100 per cent. pension unless at least 26 insurance contributions have been paid since discharge from the Defence Forces.
I am, however, having the matter examined from the viewpoint of removing the anomaly instanced by the Deputy.