Vol. 405 No. 4
91 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether members of the Defence Forces either currently employed or retired with pension from the Department of Defence can claim (a) disability benefit, (b) invalidity pension and (c) old age pension; the exact circumstances under which they can receive social welfare payments in conjunction with a pension from that Department.
Commissioned Army officers and permanent members of the Army Nursing Service pay a modified or reduced rate of PRSI providing cover for widows' and orphans' pensions but not for disability benefit, invalidity pension or old age pension. They could qualify for such benefits on the basis of other employment and entitlement would not be affected by receipt of a Department of Defence pension.
In the case of non-commissioned personnel, a modified rate is also payable which provides cover for all benefits with the exception of occupational injuries benefits. Disability benefit and invalidity pension are not payable to this category, however, while they are serving in the Defence Forces. Receipt of a Department of Defence pension would not affect entitlements arising from social insurance contributions.
