asked the Minister for Defence if he has any proposals for an increase for the lower paid old IRA service pensioners and also for the award of special allowances to old IRA pensioners who have no other income except the special allowance award.

Military Service Pensions and Special Allowances have been increased seven times in the last eight years, the latest increases being those granted from 1st August, 1968. Any further increases could be considered only in the context of general pension increases.