asked the Minister for Defence if he will indicate the numbers of IRA pensioners in receipt of special allowances; and if he proposes to take steps to provide an increase for them.

The number of persons in receipt of Pensions under the Military Service Pensions Acts or under the Army Pensions Acts, who are also in receipt of special allowance, is 1,129.

The pensions of these recipients have been increased by 5 per cent from 1st October, 1964, and the "appropriate annual sums" for special allowance purposes have been increased by £4 from the same date. In addition, there has been an easement, as from 1st October, 1964, in the assessment of their pensions as means for special allowance purposes which provides a further increase in the majority of cases where assessment was previously made.

Is the Minister satisfied that an increase of £4 in the specified figure is a reasonable sum? Is not the increase in the cost of living much higher than that?

If the Deputy were to name any particular figure, I should be hesitant in saying that I was satisfied with it.