asked the Minister for Defence if he will grant a minimum pension of £1 per week to all old I.R.A. recipients of pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Pensions.
57.
Military service pensions are directly related to the active service of the pensioners, and the determination of active service for pension purposes was exclusively a matter for the Board of Assessors and the Referee under the Military Service Pensions Acts, 1924 and 1934, respectively. As I stated on 30th November, 1960, in the course of the debate on a private member's motion it is not proposed to introduce amending legislation which would alter the method that has hitherto obtained of determining the rates of military service pension.
In view of the fact that the numerical strength of the Old I.R.A. is dying out and in view of the lesser value of the £ today as compared with what it was when these pensions were first granted, would the Minister not consider fixing a minimum pension of £1 per week for all pensioners?
As I explained, the fixing of a minimum pension of £1 a week would involve a proportionate increase in the higher pensions and would cost a considerable amount of money.
That is not the purpose of my question. It is not to increase the higher pensions but to give a minimum pension.
As I pointed out in my reply, these pensions were fixed having regard to the active service of the pensioners and the amount of the pension is directly related to their active service.
The value of the £ then was greater.
Yes, and the pensions have been increased on a number of occasions and always by a Fianna Fáil Government.
Is the Minister aware that there are many pensions of less than £1 per week paid to these veterans of the War of Independence?
Why did the Deputy not do something about it when he had a chance?
The Parliamentary Secretary should keep quiet for a little while. Let him take an example from the Minister for Health and behave himself.
That will not last long. I bet he will break out before 5 o'clock.
Question No. 58 postponed.