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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Aug 1971

Vol. 255 No. 19

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensions Bill.

77.

asked the Minister for Defence the estimated number of widows who will qualify for an allowance under the Army Pensions Bill, 1971; if the widow of the holder of a special allowance will qualify for an allowance and if any estimate has been made of the number of such widows.

It is estimated that 3,300 widows of military service pensioners will qualify for allowances under the Army Pensions Bill, 1971. The widow of a holder of a special allowance under the Army Pensions Acts will not qualify for the allowance. It has been estimated that 3,000 widows of special allowance holders are still alive.

I think the Minister said that the number who will qualify is 3,300?

That is correct.

Could the Minister tell me the estimated number or if any estimate has been made of the number of widows who qualify for an allowance?

Yes. I gave that figure. The estimated figure of widows of special allowance holders is 3,000.

And the number who will qualify for this is 3,300?

Yes. They are in different categories. The widows who will qualify will be widows of military service pensioners, those who have medals with bars.

I thought that a qualifying widow must be in receipt of a special allowance?

I think we are on different ground.

I think we are. Surely more widows qualify for a special allowance than qualify for this increase under the 1971 Budget?

The special allowance holders are not concerned with the present Bill.

They must qualify——

The widows of service pensioners.

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