asked the Minister for Defence whether, further to his statement of 29th March that the special allowance to Old I.R.A. men had been increased from January, 1961 and that the means test applied to these men had been relaxed in recent times in a number of respects, he will state by how much the special allowance was increased in January, 1961; and if he will state in exact detail the respects in which the means test applied to these men has been relaxed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Special Allowance.
71.
What was said in reply to Deputy Seán Collins's question on 29th March, 1962, was that the appropriate annual sums for the purpose of special allowances were increased as from the 6th January, 1961. Generally, the increase was £13; in one particular type of case, it was £36 10s. The current appropriate annual sums are set out in Section 24 of the Army Pensions (Increase) Act, 1961.
As to the second part of the Deputy's question, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate in the Official Report a statement of the respects in which the assessment of means for the purpose of special allowances has been altered in recent times in favour of applicants for, and holders of, such allowances.
Following is the statement:—
The assessment of means has been modified as from 10th August, 1961, to the extent that, (1) contributions from children residing away from home are not assessed up to a limit of £50 in the year from each child. Previously, only the first £2 was not assessed; (2) the assessment of profits from contributions of children residing with the applicant has been reduced as shown in the following tables:—
WEEKLY contributions of children over 18 years of age.
(a) As from 10th August, 1961.
|
URBAN AREA |
RURAL AREA |
||||
|
Exceeding |
Not Exceeding |
Profit |
Exceeding |
Not Exceeding |
Profit |
|
— |
40/- |
Nil |
— |
40/- |
Nil |
|
40/- |
42/- |
1/- |
40/- |
42/- |
1/- |
|
42/- |
44/- |
2/- |
42/- |
44/- |
2/- |
|
44/- |
46/- |
3/- |
44/- |
46/- |
3/- |
|
46/- |
48/- |
4/- |
46/- |
48/- |
4/- |
|
48/- |
50/- |
5/- |
48/- |
50/- |
5/- |
|
50/- |
52/- |
6/- |
50/- |
5/- |
|
|
52/- |
6/- plus the amount by which it exceeds 52/- |
plus the amount by which it exceeds 50/- |
(b) Prior to 10th August, 1961.
|
URBAN AREA |
RURAL AREA |
||||
|
Exceeding |
Not Exceeding |
Profit |
Exceeding |
Not Exceeding |
Profit |
|
— |
30/- |
Nil |
— |
30/- |
Nil |
|
30/- |
35/- |
2/- |
30/- |
35/- |
2/- |
|
35/- |
40/- |
3/- |
35/- |
37/- |
3/- |
|
40/- |
42/- |
4/- |
37/- |
39/- |
4/- |
|
42/- |
44/- |
5/- |
39/- |
41/- |
5/- |
|
44/- |
46/- |
6/- |
41/- |
the sum of 5/- plus the amount by which the contribution exceeds 41/- |
|
|
46/- |
the sum of 6/- plus the amount by which the contribution exceeds 46/- |
Profit from earnings of children under 18 years.
|
(i) As from 10th August, 1961: |
|
|
Yearly earnings not exceeding £39 2s. 0d. |
Nil. |
|
Yearly earnings between £39 2s. 0d. and £50 16s. 0d. |
the actual excess over £39 2s. 0d. |
|
Yearly earnings exceeding £50 16s. 0d. |
£11 14s. 0d. plus the benefit from contributions as at (a) above. |
|
(ii) Prior to 10th August, 1961: |
|
|
Yearly earnings not exceeding £28 14s. 0d. |
Nil. |
|
Yearly earnings between £28 14s. 0d. and £39 2s. 0d. |
the actual excess over £28 14s. 0d. |
|
Yearly earnings exceeding £39 2s. 0d. |
£10 8s. 0d. plus the benefit from contributions as at (b) above. |
Old Age Pensions.
(1) In the case of a single non-contributory pension of 30/- a week, 29/- is disregarded as means. (Prior to the 1st August, 1961, the pension was 28/6d. and the amount disregarded was 27/6d. The increase of 1/6d. has also, therefore, been disregarded.)
(2) Where both husband and wife have non-contributory pensions amounting to £3, £2 0s. 6d. is disregarded as means. (Prior to the 1st August, 1961, the combined pensions amounted to £2 17s. 0d. and £1 17s. 6d. was disregarded. The increase of 3/- has also, therefore, been disregarded.)
(3) In the case of a contributory old age pension plus allowance for spouse—total £3 10s. 0d. -£1 19s. 0d. is disregarded. (Prior to the 1st August, 1961, the combined amount was £3 8s. 6d. and £1 17s. 6d. was disregarded. The increase of 1/6d. in the supplementary allowance has also, therefore, been disregarded.)
The value of the labour of a child under 18 is disregarded in assessing the profit from the property of such child's parent. (Prior to 10th August, 1961, the value of such labour was assessed.)