Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pension Allowances.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

291 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence the number of males and widows of War of Independence pensioners who are in receipt of pension allowances from his Department; and the annual charge to the Exchequer of these payments. [24180/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The information requested is as follows:

Type of pension/allowance			Nos. of Recipients(October, 2000)	Male	Female	Total
Veterans	Military Service Pensioners	10	4	14
	Special Allowance Holders under the Army Pensions Acts	27	8	35
Spouses of deceased Veterans	Widow(er)s of deceased Military Service Pensioners	1	652	653
	Widow(er)s of deceased Special Allowance Holders		785	785
	Widow(er)s of deceased Medal Holders		254	254
Total numbers		38	1,703	1,741

The cost of these pensions and allowances was £2.25million in 1999. The corresponding amount in the 2000 Estimates is £4.1 million which includes provision for the payment of a special once-off millennium bonus of £500 to veterans and widow(ers) of veterans, and a 50% increase in their pensions/allowances with effect from 1 January 2000.