asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that Old IRA pensions in 1934 were equivalent to a labourer's wage; and that this wage has increased elevenfold since that time while the pension has been less than tripled; and if he will grant an increase to all IRA pensioners in view of this situation.

Military sevice pensions were determined by reference to the active service of the pensioner and his grade or rank and had no relation to wages. They have been increased nine times since 1953, the latest increase being that granted from the 1st August, 1968. Any further increases could be considered only in the context of general pension increases.

Would the Minister not agree that the pensions that have been given to the Old IRA men bear no comparison to the increases which have been given all around? In view of the fact that the numbers are diminishing every year, will he give this matter favourable consideration?

Increases in pensions are decided upon at Budget time.

Does the Minister take into consideration, when deciding increases, the current cost of living?

I am calling Question No. 65.

If I might answer the Deputy: it is interesting, a Cheann Comhairle, to look at the years in which pensions were increased—1953, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968. There is a big gap between 1953 and 1959, a gap during which no increases were given.

I did not ask when increases were given. One penny increase is still an increase. I asked for a pro rata increase in pensions with the cost of living, an increase comparable to that given in other sectors.

The Deputy may not make a speech.

Service pensions were not based on the cost of living. They were based on the service rendered and rank.

Would the Minister not agree that the only fair increase is a percentage increase? The present system is unfair.

65.

asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a person in Limerick (name supplied) who is in receipt of an IRA pension has been denied free electricity and free television licence because he has two daughters living with him; and that this man, who is an invalid, needs his two daughters so that he may have constant care and attention; and if he will have the case examined with a view to granting the amenities which he has applied for.

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. It does not come within the relative conditions for the grant of free electricity allowance, because the applicant has two daughters living with him. However, in view of special circumstances which he has put forward, the case is being examined to see if anything can be done. I cannot say what the outcome will be, but I shall inform the Deputy in due course.

I am very grateful to the Minister and I must congratulate him. After all his years of service——

The Deputy may not make a speech.

——this man is deprived of free electricity and a free TV licence because he has two daughters living with him instead of one.

The regulation has to be applied. This man is a service pensioner. He is in receipt of a pension under the 1934 Act.

He has been disabled for a long number of years and he brought honour and glory to this country.

I am having this case examined to see what I can do.

It will need to be examined very rapidly.

He made the application for review himself.

And the Minister turned him down. Because he has two daughters living with him he gets nothing.

He made application to have his case reviewed and the Deputy's question came in subsequently.

I have the correspondence in my bag. He was turned down by the Minister.

I know his case was turned down.

Then why does the Minister say it is under consideration?

Because he made application for a review.

But the Minister turned it down because he had two daughters living with him.