asked the Minister for Defence if he will state in respect of each year since the special allowance was introduced the number of medal holders who are in receipt of the allowances under the Military Service Pensions Acts, and the cost of such allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions Acts: Special Allowances.
26.
Special allowances are not payable under the Military Service Pensions Acts.
I assume therefore that the Deputy is referring to special allowances granted under the Army Pensions Acts and that, in referring to medal holders, he means persons awarded the Service (1917-1921) Medal without Bar.
The compilation, in respect of each year since special allowances were first introduced in 1943, of the total number of such Medal holders who were in receipt of such allowances would involve the individual examination of almost 10,000 files. I consider that the time and expense involved in this would not be justified. The Deputy will appreciate that, subject to the various statutory conditions, special allowances may be awarded to military service, disability and Connaught Rangers pensioners as well as to holders of the 1917-1921 Medal without Bar. The records readily available do not segregate the different classes, nor is this necessary for ordinary administrative purposes.
A tabular statement showing the number of special allowances on pay on the last day of each financial year from 1943/44 onwards, and the total cost of special allowances in each such financial year, has been prepared. I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
STATEMENT showing the number of Special Allowances on pay on the last day of each financial year from 1943-44 onwards and the total cost of Special Allowances in each such financial year.
|
Number of Year |
Allowances |
Cost |
|
£ |
||
|
1943-44 |
24 |
1,382 |
|
1944-45 |
59 |
3,403 |
|
1945-46 |
57 |
3,343 |
|
1946-47 |
220 |
12,923 |
|
1947-48 |
599 |
37,815 |
|
1948-49 |
1,043 |
67,471 |
|
1949-50 |
1,186 |
72,127 |
|
1950-51 |
1,545 |
86,208 |
|
1951-52 |
2,082 |
117,758 |
|
1952-53 |
2,676 |
155,917 |
|
1953-54 |
3,519 |
225,525 |
|
1954-55 |
4,354 |
298,668 |
|
1955-56 |
4,928 |
330,107 |
|
1956-57 |
5,302 |
353,678 |
|
1957-58 |
5,527 |
358,401 |
|
1958-59 |
5,814 |
374,636 |
|
1959-60 |
6,113 |
395,960 |