asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications (1) received by him for special allowances from holders of Military Service Medals (1917-1921) for each of the years 1959 and 1960, (2) dealt with, and (3) refused on the grounds that the means of the applicant equalled or exceeded the prescribed annual sum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Applications for Special Allowances.
15.
The records in the Department are not kept in a manner which would enable me to furnish the Deputy with the information exactly as he has requested it. I trust however that the following statement will be sufficiently informative:—
|
1959 |
1960 |
|
|
Total number of applications received |
1,189 |
1,097 |
|
Total number of applications decided |
1,164 |
1,121 |
|
Total number of applications refused |
457 |
482 |
The applications decided in 1959 include a number which were received before the commencement of that year and the position is similar with regard to 1960. It would not be practicable except at the expense of time and effort, which would not be justified, to break down the totals so as to show how many of the applications were received during the years 1959 and 1960.
Again, applications for special allowances may be refused on any of the following grounds:—
(1) that the applicant is not qualified because of not having the requisite pre-truce membership,
(2) that he is not incapable of self-support by reason of age or permanent infirmity of body or mind,
(3) that his means equal or exceed the appropriate annual sum.
As the applications refused are not capable of being readily broken down under these three heads it is not practicable to say how many were refused on the ground that the means were equal to or in excess of the appropriate annual sum.