asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the great hardship which is being caused to Old IRA men who were in receipt of a special allowance, because of his Department's decision either to terminate the allowance completely or to reduce the allowance following the increase in old age pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Increases in old age pension are not assessed as means for special allowance purposes, and, therefore, do not affect entitlement to such an allowance.