asked the Minister for Defence if he will specially consider the position of Army pensioners of long duration whose age on retirement prevents them from obtaining employment and who are compelled to live on social welfare benefits, plus the appropriate Army pension; if he is aware that the system of monthly payment of pensions creates difficulties for such pensioners; and if he will take steps to institute weekly payments in such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensioners.
16.
My Department does not receive many requests for the concession suggested by the Deputy. There are various difficulties in the way of the adoption of the course which he requests. Payments of the pensions and allowances for which my Department is responsible have now been computerised, for reasons of economy as well as efficiency. A computer system does not lend itself readily to exceptions. Furthermore, if a departure from the present system was made in individual cases, there would inevitably be pressure for a wider extension of the concession. My Department has more than 23,000 pensions and allowances on pay, so that staff costs would increase considerably as a result of a general change from monthly to weekly payments. In the circumstances, I regret that I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.