asked the Minister for Defence how many persons in receipt of the Old IRA special allowance have recently had such allowance reduced on account of an increase in social welfare benefit in January last; and if it is the policy of his Department to reduce Old IRA allowances when social welfare benefits are increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old IRA Allowances.
47.
It is estimated that, in all, about 850 special allowances have been affected by the recent increase in disability benefit which it is presumed the Deputy has in mind.
As has been explained frequently, the purpose of a special allowance is to augment the means of members of the Old IRA and kindred organisations who are incapable of self-support by reason of age or permanent infirmity and whose means from other sources are below a certain level. If the other means increase, there is nothing unreasonable in principle in reducing the special allowance. Nevertheless it is the practice not to take increases in social welfare and similar benefits fully into account. Some of them are totally disregarded and others partly. As I stated on the 1st instant in a reply to questions bearing on this matter, one-half of disability benefit has always been assessed as means for special allowance purposes and consequently an increase in that benefit has always involved an adjustment of a special allowance. Since, however, only one-half of the increase is assessed, the overall income from public funds is increased.
Is the Minister aware of the indignation that has been aroused as a result of these veterans of the War of Independence being treated in this fashion, especially in this Jubilee Year of the 1916 Rising? Does the Minister not agree that it is contrary to the spirit and intention of this House in passing the Social Welfare Acts recently that anyone in receipt of a State pension should sustain a reduction as a result of increases in social welfare benefits? Does he not consider it a shame and a flagrant insult to the men concerned that what was conceded by the Minister for Social Welfare, on the one hand, should be withdrawn by the Minister for Defence, on the other, and in the circumstances will he amend the niggardly means test whereby this sad situation came about? Will he rectify the serious injury done to these veterans who are living in pretty bad circumstances at present?
I am not aware of any great indignation——
Indeed there is.
——in relation to this matter and I would point out to the Deputy that the increases were given by this Government, and that when the Coalition Government were in power——
That is damn-all use to the fellows concerned.
It is not a stringent means test; means are assessed by a certain method and are moderately valued. The only increase that is taken into account is half the increase in the disability benefit. The other increases that have been given are not taken into account.
When you see them getting another 5/-, you say that is enough.
I am not saying anything is enough. I say that the special allowances were first introduced by this Government to supplement the incomes of the persons who were eligible to apply for those special allowances.
But they would go mad if they got another few shillings?
I am not saying they would go mad. The special allowance was introduced to supplement income.