Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence if members of the Irish Army are in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance in order to maintain their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42175/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Supplementary welfare allowance provides a basic weekly allowance to eligible people who have little or no income. People with low incomes may also qualify for a weekly supplement payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme to meet certain special needs. The circumstances surrounding an application for supplementary welfare allowance and the payment of the allowance is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. My Department would not be aware, therefore, if members of the Permanent Defence Forces are in receipt.