andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Defence the cost involved in extending the Army Pensions Act, 1971, to cater for widows of persons who were in receipt of special allowances.
57.
Written Answers. - Army Pensions Act.
56.
andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider amending the Army Pensions Act, 1971, so that payment of widow's allowance at present applicable to widows of military service pensioners, will also be payable to widows of those who were in receipt of special allowances.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The Army Pensions Act, 1971, provides for payment of allowances to widows of military service pensioners. Military service pensions are fixed amounts based on rank and service. Special allowances are not related to rank or service but are subject to a means test. It would not be possible to extend the 1971 Act to provide for widows of special allowance holders in the same way as applies to widows of military service pensioners, that is half their husband's pensions with a minimum of £70.56 a year. An estimated cost of providing the same minimum allowance for widows of former special allowance holders is £350,000 per annum. An amendment of the Army Pensions Act, 1971, on the lines suggested is not contemplated.