asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (1) the number of applications for special allowances received by him from holders of military service medals (1917-1921), (2) the number of applications dealt with, and (3) the average time taken to dispose of each application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Allowance Applications.
The number of applications for special allowances received at the 30th September, 1955, from holders of the Service (1917-1921) Medal without bar, was, approximately, 9,000.
The number of these applications dealt with is, approximately, 8,000.
Each case has to be subjected to a detailed investigation in order to establish that the following statutory conditions are fulfilled:—
(1) that the medal has been duly awarded,
(2) that the means of the applicant do not equal or exceed the prescribed annual sum,
(3) that the applicant is incapable of self-support by reason of permanent infirmity of body or mind.
These investigations are carried out as speedily as possible but it would require considerable research (for which staff cannot be made available) to ascertain the average time taken to arrive at a decision in the 8,000 cases dealt with.
Does the answer given by the Minister include applications with or without bar?
Without bar.
Could he not state the other figure?
I have not got it.