asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that up to a recent date Mr. Jeremiah O'Connor, Leamington Road, Enniscorthy, was in receipt of approximately 5/- allowance per week under the Army Pensions Acts and 15/- per week old age pension, that when his old age pension was increased by 2/6 per week his allowance was cut off, thus leaving him worse off by 2/6 per week, and whether he will review all the circumstances of the case to see that the applicant's meagre income is restored at least to its former level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensions Allowance
Mr. O'Connor was in receipt of a dependent's allowance under Section 37 of the Army Pensions Act, 1937, in respect of his deceased son, Henry. The statutory condition for the grant of these allowances, which are subject to review not more frequently than once a year, is that the applicant's yearly means do not equal or exceed the sum of £40. Mr. O'Connor's means are now £45 12s. 6d. per annum and as they exceed the prescribed limit of £40 the dependent's allowance has been terminated.
Will the Minister say when the revision of the means test will take place, or if it is possible that the allowances taken from this man as a result of the increase in his old age pension will be restored to him in the near future? Is he aware that this man is the father of two sons who lost their lives defending the Republic in 1923?
It means more than a revision of the means test. To deal with a case of this kind, which is rather difficult and a bit unusual, would require an amendment of previous legislation. I am subject to the law the same as the Deputy and I am carrying out the law as I found it. It may be that in the course of time I shall have to amend this law as well as a number of other laws, but at the moment I am powerless.
Does the Minister hope in the near future to introduce legislation to amend the law?
I do not think the Minister's hopes interest the Dáil.