asked the Minister for Defence how many military service pensions (i) were awarded and (ii) are now being paid (a) under the 1924 Act and (b) under the 1934 Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
101.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Military Service Pensions Act, 1924: |
|
|
Pensions awarded |
4,250 |
|
Pensions being paid on 30th September, 1965 |
2,362 |
|
Military Service Pensions Act, 1934: |
|
|
Pensions awarded |
13,936 |
|
Pensions being paid on 30th September, 1965 |
8,606 |
Some of them were not born in 1922.
That remark by Deputy L'Estrange is a reflection on the honesty and integrity of the Referee and the Board of Assessors who awarded the certificates.
It is a well-known fact. It is a well-known fact that men got pensions who never did a day's fighting and never had a gun in their hands.
Deputy L'Estrange knows nothing about it whatsoever.
I know that for a fact. They got pensions for robbing a train, and nothing else.
The Deputy's remark is a reflection on the men who took part in the Fight for Freedom in this country and on the people charged with assessing the military service of the personnel concerned.
The 13,900 were not for the men who took part in the Fight for Freedom in this country, but men who tried to put down freedom.
The Deputy knows nothing about it whatsoever. They qualified for their service certificates on the service they rendered prior to 11th July, 1921.
The present IRA could qualify in 20 years' time under the same Act.
Order.