asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the abolition of the means test for old I.R.A. personnel entitled to a special allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Special Allowances: Means Test.
56.
The object of a special allowance is to supplement the applicant's income up to a particular level. Consequently, regard must be had to the means of applicants and I regret that it is not possible to depart from this requirement. As Deputies are aware, however, many items of income are entirely or partially ignored in the assessment of means.
Is the Minister aware that it is the investigation officer who carries out these investigations and that no source of income or alleged income is omitted in the assessment of means?
Under directions, certain items of income are ignored or assessed in a way in which they are either ignored or partially ignored.
Could the Minister give an example?
Many examples.
The number of hens he has got.
Will the Minister state what is the means test? How much are they allowed to have and get a pension?
There is no means test in regard to pensions.
Before they get the allowance.
It depends on the different categories of persons: single, married, and under or over 70.