asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the total number of persons who have received military service pensions under the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949, and (b) the total number of such persons residing in County Clare.

No awards of pension have yet been made under the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949. Two hundred and seventy-five applications from claimants in the City and County of Dublin, Counties Cork, Kerry and Tipperary have been heard by the Referee and advisory committee. It is anticipated that reports upon these claims will be furnished by the Referee at a very early date.