asked the Minister for Defence whether he is prepared, as an ex gratia measure, to extend the free television licence concession at present allowed to old IRA pensioners in such a way as to apply also to the widows of such pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Television Licences.
41.
As I have already indicated in replying to somewhat similar questions the benefits of the free television and radio licence scheme for old age pensioners have been made available to the following persons who served in the War of Independence:—
(a) military service pensioners;
(b) disability pensioners whose disablement related to the pre-Truce period;
(c) persons in receipt of special allowances;
(d) holders of the 1916 Medal, the Service (1917-1921) Medal, with Bar or a "duly awarded" service (1917-1921) Medal without bar.
The widow of an old IRA pensioner is entitled to this concession under the scheme administered by my Department only if she comes within one of these categories. It is not proposed to alter this position.
Does the Minister not agree that this provision could be extended by the Government as an ex gratia payment, at a very small cost to the State, if they wished to do so?
The Deputy appreciates that this is strictly in the nature of a concession to a special class of people who gave a special type of national service. It is to them, and them alone, that the scheme applies and to dilute it further would in a sense debase the privilege now given to them.
Debase it by extending it to widows?
Does the Minister not agree that the television allowance could be extended to those in receipt of special allowances? These people have to undergo a severe means test before they qualify for the allowance.
I have given the House the particular categories of persons to whom this scheme applies.
I asked the Minister if television allowances could be extended to those who receive the special allowances. All the Minister has to do is to answer my question by saying "Yes" or "No".
It is not possible to answer a question as simply as that.
If the Deputy had listened to the reply which I gave, he would not have needed to ask a supplementary question.
The Labour Party is in need of a special allowance at the moment.
I see they are after forsaking Cuba.
(Interruptions.)