asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider leaving to the widows of deceased old IRA medal holders the privileges they had previous to the deaths of their husbands including free electricity and free Tv and radio licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old IRA Pensioners' Widows.
100.
Mr. J. Lenehan
In accordance with the 1968 Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance the benefits of the free travel and electricity schemes and the free television and radio licences scheme for old age pensioners have been made available to the following persons who served in the War of Independence:—
(a) military service pensioners;
(b) disability pensioners whose disablement relates to the pre-Truce period;
(c) persons in receipt of special allowances;
(d) holders of the 1916 Medal, the Service (1917-1921) Medal with Bar or a "duly awarded" Service (1917-1921) Medal without bar.
The widow of a veteran is entitled to the concessions under the schemes administered by my Department only if she comes within one of the categories mentioned. It is not proposed to alter this position.