andMr. Tierney asked the Minister for Defence the total number of old IRA medal holders who were in receipt of a special allowance, and the cost of them per year in each of the years 1960 to 1966 inclusive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old IRA Special Allowances.
88.
As the reply is mainly in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:— THE number of persons in receipt of special allowances on the 31st March in each of the financial years from 1959-1960 to 1964-1965 and the expenditure on special allowances in each of those years.
|
Year ended |
Number on the 31st March |
Expenditure |
|
£ |
||
|
31st March, 1960 |
6,113 |
395,960 |
|
31st March, 1961 |
6,258 |
404,870 |
|
31st March, 1962 |
6,664 |
467,061 |
|
31st March, 1963 |
7,102 |
533,517 |
|
31st March, 1964 |
7,567 |
576,554 |
|
31st March, 1965 |
8,116 |
616,253 |
The number of persons in receipt of special allowances at the 31st December, 1965, was 8,546 and the expenditure from 1st April, 1965, to 31st December, 1965, was £521,121.
During the period from 1st April, 1960 to 31st December, 1965, inclusive, 5,665 new special allowances were awarded. The difference between that figure and the net increase of 2,003 shown above is attributable mainly to deaths.
89.
andMr. Tierney asked the Minister for Defence the number of old IRA medal holders who are in receipt of the full award of the special allowance because they have no other means, to the nearest date available.
Without examining each case individually, it would not be possible to reply to the Deputies' question categorically. It can be said, however, that cases in which applicants for special allowances have no other means whatever are very rare. On the other hand, there are numerous cases in which such applicants have means which are not assessable for special allowance purposes, and receive special allowances at the same rates as if they were, in fact, persons without any other means.