asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the policy of his Department to assist members of the public to avail of any grants and assistance available from his Department and the procedures used towards this end.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants and Assistance Policy
17.
On the basis that the question comprehends the benefits and scheme of concessions available in favour of veterans of the War of Independence—special - allowance, free travel, free electricity allowance, free television licence, free telephone rental and funeral grant—the position is that my Department adopt a positive role in facilitating those who are entitled to the benefits and concessions. The same position applies to widows of veterans in the case of free travel and to the payment to the widows of military service pensioners, subject to a prescribed annual minimum, of one half of the annual pension paid to the deceased pensioner.
Apart from the dissemination of information generally, including publicity about the availability of benefits and so forth, my Department take the initiative in many individual cases, to furnish relevant information and application forms to potential beneficiaries.