asked the Minister for Defence if he will now consider exempting social welfare payments from assessment of means made in respect of applications under the Military Service Pensions Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
90.
Since military service pensions are not subject to a means test, I presume that the Deputy's question relates to special allowances.
Social welfare benefits are only partially assessed as means for special allowance purposes. In the last nine years all budgetary increases in such benefits have been entirely or substantially disregarded. In particular, increases in old age pensions have been entirely disregarded.
Complete exemption is not contemplated.