asked the Minister for Defence if he will grant an allowance to the widows of IRA veterans who were in receipt of special allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old IRA Veterans' Widows.
71.
It is not proposed to provide for the payment of an allowance to the widows of special allowance holders.
Where special circumstances exist would the widow of the holder of a special allowance not be entitled to that allowance?
This would be a matter for the Minister for Finance in the context of the budget. There is a difference between military service pensions and special allowances. Military service pensions are paid on the basis of service actually done. Special allowances are paid on the basis of membership of one of three prescribed organisations during a certain number of months before the Truce. The allowance is subject to a means test. Some allowance holders were and are relatively well-off and there is not, therefore, the same overall case for the continuance of this allowance to a widow as there might be in the case of service pensioners; the widows of the latter are, of course, entitled to an allowance.
In view of the fact that there is a means test for the special allowance would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that it is a hardship on a widow when her husband dies and the allowance dies with him? Her income will be reduced. Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider making representations to the Minister for Finance about this?
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but there are many cases of hardship in all categories. Widows of special allowance holders would not necessarily be depending only on these allowances. The holders of these allowances no doubt had other incomes to support both themselves and their widows subsequently. There may be cases in which a special allowance might be a major part of the income and hardship could result in such cases. There may be certain compassionate cases. As I say, there is no proposal at the moment to transfer the allowance to the widow.
Before the deadline of 3.30 p.m., as I understand it to be, may I give notice again of my intention, with your permission, Sir, to raise on the adjournment this evening the matter of the deteriorating condition of the Price sisters? In extenuation of my plea for this, despite the ruling I got, and accepted, from the Chair yesterday evening, may I say that the condition of these sisters is now extremely grave and I want to know whether, in fact, this House is prepared to make any representations whatsoever one way or the other or are we going to sit in silence until these brave girls have died?
I will communicate with the Deputy.