asked the Minister for Defence if he will now arrange to have some pension or allowance issued to all holders of 1916 and 1917-21 service medals; and if he will change the conditions for eligibility for a special allowance so that each medal holder can qualify for at least £5 per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Service Medal Holders.
17.
The holder of a 1916 Medal, a Service (1917-1921) Medal with Bar or a duly awarded Service (1917-1921) Medal without Bar may apply for a special allowance under the Army Pensions Acts. In order to qualify for an award the medal holder must be incapable of self-support by reason of age or permanent infirmity and there is a means test. The means test which has been relaxed over the years is now far from severe, and further relaxation of it is not under consideration at the moment.
The grant to medal holders of pensions or allowances other than service pensions or special allowances is not contemplated.
Can the Minister say what the upper income limit is?
Each case is taken on its merits and, therefore, there is no such thing as a fixed upper income. I could help the Deputy by telling him that in years past there have been very great relaxations. That means that anyone who is near the stage of being in want will get a special allowance. We disregard in full increases in the various social welfare benefits since January, 1969. As from 1st October, 1964, the first £60 of military service pensions, disability pensions and Connaught Rangers pensions have been disregarded in the case of applicants under 70 years of age and the first £30 where the applicant has reached 70 years. The increases granted in such pensions since August, 1965, are also disregarded. The value of the labour of children under 18 years of age, the first £50 of gifts in cash from brothers or sisters or from children at home are disregarded. The assessment of the means of children under 18 years of age have been relaxed and all social welfare payments in respect of children are disregarded. The assessment of the profit from the contributions of members of the family over 18 years of age who are living at home have been relaxed and no profit is assessed on a contribution of £7.70 per week in a rural area or £8.20 per week in an urban area. That is not really an upper limit, but it is the figure where the income coming into the house is disregarded.
While I agree with the Minister's assessment for special allowance disregarded social welfare payments, Social Welfare do not disregard his increases. They will reduce an old man's pension.
That is a separate matter.
They might reduce it by a portion but not by so great a portion as he would gain by having a special allowance.