Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 4

Written Answers. - War of Independence Veterans' Widows.

John Connor

Ceist:

73 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the extremely low level of special allowance or pension payable to widows of veterans of the War of Independence; if he has any plan to increase these allowances to realistic levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Lenihan)

Under the Army Pensions Act, 1971, the widow of a military service pensioner qualifies for an allowance of half her deceased husband's pension, subject to a prescribed minimum allowance (currently £547 a year). Under the Army Pensions Act, 1980, a common flat rate allowance (currently £493 a year) is payable to the widow of a special allowance holder. This allowance was extended to the widows of other veterans of the War of Independence in 1982, but subject to their satisfying a means test. The number of recipients of these allowances is currently 5,885.

Whilst their levels may appear low, I should explain that these allowances are additional to normal social welfare entitlements and are fully exempt from income tax. Additionally, my Department provides assistance to the widows of veterans of the War of Independence through various schemes of concessions such as those for free travel, free electricity allowance and free telephone rental allowance.

The widows' allowances are increased from time to time in line with increases in Army pensions generally. The cumulative increase in 1989 was almost 8 per cent while the following increases fall due in 1990:

Effective date	Approximate increase
1 January 1990	2 per cent
1 April 1990	3.6 per cent
1 October 1990	3.6 per cent

The cumulative effect of these increases will be about 9.5 per cent which will, as in 1989, be well above the increase in the cost of living.

John Connor

Ceist:

74 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Defence the number of widows of veterans of the War of Independence in receipt of special allowances or pensions in Counties Roscommon and Mayo; and the average amount paid to each of these widows or veterans.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Lenihan)

The information requested is as follows:

Type of Pension/Allowance	Roscommon	Mayo	Average Pay (Annual)
Widows of Military Service Pensioners	56	84	£773
Widows of Special Allowance Holders	80	244	£493
			(flat rate)
Widows of Other Veterans	8	25	£493
			(flat rate)