asked the Minister for Defence if in view of the 1916 commemoration he will consider granting pensions or special allowances to the few 1916 veterans who have not received pensions or allowances; and if such could be granted without a means test.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions for 1916 Veterans.
49.
Any person who made application under the Military Service Pensions Acts within the prescribed time limit and who was found to have rendered active service during Easter Week, 1916, was granted a military service pension. Military service pensions are not subject to a means test.
The latest dates for the acceptance of applications under the Military Service Pensions Acts and petitions for the re-investigation of applications refused under those Acts, have long since expired and I have no discretionary power to accept an application or a petition made after the expiration of the statutory time limit.
Any person who has been awarded a 1916 Medal is eligible to apply for a special allowance. 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. Accordingly, a means test is essential for the operation of the scheme.