asked the Minister for Finance if he has received representations from the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee regarding the granting of certain facilities to IRA veterans and their wives; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - IRA Veterans.
39.
I have received the representations referred to in the Deputy's question. As regards the means test aspect I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Social Welfare to question No. 60 on 14th November, 1968. In brief that Minister indicated that a means test was an integral part of the non-contributory old age pension code and could not be abolished in favour of any particular section of the community. Pensions and allowances in respect of Old IRA service are not, however, included in the assessment of means for the purposes of the old age pension.
In relation to the proposed provision of free travel for unaccompanied wives of veterans I was, as mentioned in my Budget speech, unable to extend the scheme to one group or another as the ultimate cost would be too great and I decided, therefore, that the resources available could best be utilised in providing the concessions in respect of military service pensioners announced in the Budget.