asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider reissuing travel cards to IRA veterans who were required to surrender them on qualifying for the old age pension.

I have now decided to re-issue, on request from the veterans concerned, the free travel cards surrendered on qualifying for an old age pension.

36.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications received for allowances to widows of IRA pensioners; the number granted; the number disallowed; and the number still under consideration.

Up to and including the 12th instant approximately 2,500 applications for the allowance payable under the Army Pensions Act 1971 to widows of military service pensioners were received in my Department. Of those who applied, 1,970 have been awarded the allowance and all these have already been paid, or will be paid their entitlement this week. Of the balance, 400 were not eligible and 130 cases are at present under examination.

37.

asked the Minister for Defence if the wives of Old IRA men are entitled to use free travel passes when their husbands are unable to travel due to illness.

In accordance with my Department's free travel scheme for veterans and their spouses, the spouse of a veteran is entitled to the free travel concession only when accompanying the veteran. The scheme is the same as the Department of Social Welfare scheme for old age pensioners and their spouses and no alteration in its scope is contemplated.

Does the Minister not agree that it seems rather ridiculous that where an Old IRA man is unable to travel due to illness, either chronic or otherwise, his wife cannot even go to draw the pension if she has to use public transport, even though the pass is there? Is she supposed to do, as they do in this House when there is an important vote, put him on a stretcher and bring him with her?

This is an aspect of the matter which has been considered on many occasions in the past but nevertheless it has not been possible to meet the Deputy's case.

Why has it not been found possible?

It represents a new deal and it is not being provided for.

That is what the Minister is there for, to provide for it.

Does the Minister not know that when he quoted the social welfare scheme he was not relating to a similar case? Social welfare use the pension book. In this case they have a travel permit and surely it should be possible to put on the travel permit: "Permission for the spouse to travel." Surely it should be possible for one or the other to use the travel permit?

Would the Minister agree to give a free pass to the widows of the IRA pensioners?

This is the same thing. One pass would be sufficient for both if this scheme were agreed on. However, the scheme is tied to the social welfare scheme.

It is not tied to the social welfare scheme.

A generous concession has been given in this respect.

If the old IRA pensioner is in hospital is the wife not allowed to visit him while he is there?

Not by this Minister.

This Minister has been very decent.

Why is the Minister not doing something about it?

I am calling Question No. 38.

I have done a good deal for the widows of veterans already and I shall continue to do so.

Will the Minister look at the question of making a special provision where the pensioner is disabled so that the wife can deal with his affairs on his behalf?

That aspect of the matter has been fully considered already and it has not been found possible to concede it.

Why not?

There has been a generous allocation already in providing for travel facilities.

Why has it not been found possible to consider this?

Because the trains and the buses are full.

The Minister does not care.