asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that I.R.A. special allowances can be reviewed only once in every year, and that old age pensions can be reviewed at any time, a married old age pensioner in receipt of a special allowance can suffer serious financial loss on the death of his wife if the latter was also an old age pensioner; and if he will take steps to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - I.R.A. Special Allowances.
I am not aware that a person in receipt of a special allowance can suffer serious financial loss in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. The system of annual review has been found in practice to be the most satisfactory and I do not propose to amend the Army Pensions Acts so as to provide for the review of special allowances more frequently than once a year.