asked the Minister for Defence if he will remove the clause whereby holders of 1916 and 1917-1921 service medals have to submit medical certificates if they are under 70 years of age; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Service Medal Holders.
31.
Presumably the Deputy has in mind the award of special allowances. One of the statutory conditions for eligibility for a special allowance is that the applicant be incapable of self-support by reason of age or permanent infirmity of body or mind. Persons over the age of 70 are deemed to be so incapable. No change in the statutory conditions is contemplated.
Would the Minister not agree there are not many people in this category and that it is not worthwhile their going to the bother of getting a medical certificate? I presume most of those people would be approximately 65 or 66 years.
There are 10,700 people already in receipt of special allowances and it is believed about 30,000 medal-holders are alive. In order to qualify for a military pension it is necessary to have the medal with bar for active service. In the case of a special allowance, where there is a need to help someone, the bar for active service is not required. We are trying to help those who need it most, and the Deputy may be assured that we will do this in every way we can.
32.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of holders of service medals for the 1916 and 1917-1921 periods who are still alive.
It is estimated that approximately 30,000 holders of the 1916 Medal and the Service (1917-1921) Medal are still alive. Of these, it is probable that some 600 have the 1916 Medal.