asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the cause of the reduction from £110 per year to £51 10s. 0d. per year in the I.R.A. pension payable to Owen Meade (reference No. D.P. 11170); if he is aware that Owen Meade is completely broken down in health and is unable to earn a living, and if he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to restoring the full pension in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - I.R.A. Pension.
As the reply contains statistical data, I propose, with the Deputy's permission, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
I believe the Minister is personally acquainted with this man and he knows the service he has given. The poor man is broken down completely in health and his I.R.A. pension has been reduced by half. Will the Minister say why that has been done? Will he see that this poor fellow will have a happy Christmas by restoring his pension?
Does the Deputy want me to read the reply, or will he be satisfied if it is published with the Official Report?
I leave that matter in the Minister's hands.
Following is the reply:—
Owen Meade is entitled to—
(a) a pension of £37 1s. 8d. gross under the terms of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, which is abated by 5 per cent. under Section 20 of the Act, because of the grant of a special allowance, making the nett pension payable £35 4s. 7d.; also
(b) a special allowance under the terms of Section 7 of the Army Pensions Act, 1943, the extent of which is regulated by the means of the applicant.
Owen Meade has been granted a special allowance at varying rates from time to time as follows:—
£49 per annum from 27th April, 1943, to 21st September, 1943; £109 per annum from 22nd September, 1943, to 31st October, 1944; £67 per annum from 1st November, 1944, to 24th April, 1945; £83 per annum from 25th April, 1945, to 31st October, 1945; £51 10s. per annum from 1st November, 1945, to 31st October, 1946.
The grant of a special allowance to any qualified person is subject to the conditions that (a) the yearly means of the person do not equal or exceed the appropriate annual sum (which in the case of a married man is £97 10s., with an additional sum of £10 8s. for each child under the age of 18 years) and (b) that such person is incapable of self-support by reason of age or permanent infirmity.
The special allowance of £109 per annum paid to Owen Meade during the period from the 22nd September, 1943, to the 31st October, 1944, was on review reduced to the figures mentioned, because it was found on each review of the case that the means of the family had increased, due to the earnings of two sons, and also due to the fact that one of the children has attained the age of 18 years, and is no longer taken into consideration in the fixing of the amount of the allowance.
I am aware of the fact that Owen Meade is incapable of self-support by reason of permanent infirmity. The grant of a special allowance could not have been made unless this condition had been fulfilled.
As Owen Meade is receiving the maximum special allowance, having regard to his means, I regret I have no power under the Acts to increase it.