Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 645: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces Pensions Acts or regulations include provisions granting entitlement to disabled or handicapped children of deceased military pensioners; if so, the number of such disabled or handicapped individuals in receipt of such entitlements; the steps he will take to advice such individuals or their personal representatives of their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23634/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Defence Forces pensions schemes and the Army Pensions Acts, pensions or allowances may be granted in certain circumstances to or in respect of the children of deceased members of the Permanent Defence Force. Payment usually ceases when the child reaches a specified upper age limit. However, payment continues beyond the age limit in the case of a child who is incapable of self-support due to a permanent mental or physical disablement. Entitlement to such payments is usually established on foot of information provided at my Department's request by the next of kin or personal representative of the deceased member of the Permanent Defence Force.

The specific information regarding the number of children in receipt of payments beyond the age limit is not readily available but the number would be relatively small.