37 Mr. McEllistrim asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider discontinuing the means test for those people in receipt of the military special allowance.

Special allowances under the Army Pensions Acts were introduced to give a measure of support to veterans of the Wars of Independence who, on account of age or incapacity, are not in a position to support themselves. The means test applicable to the special allowance has been relaxed progressively over the years and is now far from severe. Veterans with no assessible means already qualify for the maximum special allowance, and the abolition of the means test would confer no extra benefit on them.