Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Minister for Defence the pension increases secured from the Department of Finance for the surviving War of Independence veterans and their spouses; the annual cost arising from same; his views on extensions to this scheme, or if it is a one-off gesture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23791/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I felt that the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising would be an appropriate time to show the country's appreciation of the major part played by Veterans of the War of Independence and their spouses in the foundation of the State. Accordingly, I sought and obtained the approval of the Minister for Finance for an increase of 50% in these pensions effective from the 1st April 2006. The increased rates of pension, together with the arrears due from the 1st April, have been included with the June pensions recently paid by my Department. The increase is estimated to cost €0.6m in 2006 and €0.78m in 2007.

There are no proposals to extend the War of Independence pensions to any additional categories. The level of these pensions is reviewed from time to time. They were last increased by 50% from the 1st July 2004 and previously from the 1st January 2000, also by 50%. The combined effect of the recent increases means that the pension rates have been more than trebled since the 1st January 2000.