asked the Minister for Defence the number of (a) 1916 and (b) 1917-1921 service medal holders who are still alive; and the amount of money his Department paid to these under (a) pensions and (b) special allowances in 1977.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Medal Holders.
35.
It is estimated that about 300 holders of the 1916 Medal and 21,000 holders of the Service (1917-1921) Medal are still alive. During the year ended 31 December 1977 the expenditure on military service pensions was £1,160,000, of which it is estimated that £70,000 was paid to pensioners who hold the 1916 Medal. The total amounts paid to veterans of the War of Independence by way of disability pensions and special allowances were £205,000 and £2,250,000, respectively. Details are not available as to the distribution of this expenditure between (a) holders of the 1916 Medal and (b) holders of the Service (1917-1921) Medal.