Vol. 395 No. 3
63 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the category of persons covered in the 1990 Estimates under the heading "Special Allowances Under the Army Pensions Act to Persons who Served in Easter Week and to Persons Awarded Medals;" and if he will give the numbers involved.
Under the Army Pensions Acts, a special allowance may, subject to a means test, be granted to any person who was granted—
(a) a certificate under the Military Service Pensions Acts in respect of service during the period which commenced on 23 April 1916, and ended on 11 July 1921;
(b) a wound or disability pension under those Acts arising from service during that period;
(c) the 1916 Medal or the Service (1917-1921) Medal.
There were 1044 persons in receipt of special allowances in January, 1990. The majority of recipients are holders of the Service (1917-1921) Medal, the last surviving recipient with service in Easter Week, 1916 having died in December, 1989. A small number of recipients are also in receipt of pensions under the Military Service Pensions Acts.
