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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - Army Pensions.

Paul McGrath

Question:

151 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the pensions, if any, that were payable to army widows prior to 1978 and (2) the criteria under which these pensions were awarded.

Prior to 1978, there was no provision for the payment of pensions by my Department to the widows of deceased soldiers. Such provision was made in 1978 when a contributory pension scheme for widows and children was introduced with effect from 1 June 1977. At the same time, a special ex-gratia scheme was introduced to cover the widows of soldiers who had either died in service or retired on pension prior to the introduction of the contributory scheme and were thereby prevented from joining the contributory scheme.

Provision has existed in the Army Pensions Acts since 1923 for the grant of an allowance to the widow of a deceased soldier who was killed in the course of his duty or whose death was otherwise attributable to his military service. Additionally, the widows of deceased soldiers were and are eligible for contributory widow's pension under the Social Welfare Acts.
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