More than 2,000 people will benefit from special millennium payments for veterans of the War of Independence and the spouses of deceased veterans.
The payments, amounting to £2 million for next year, include a lump sum of £500 to each person in receipt of a pension or special allowance on January 1st next year. There will also be a 50 per cent increase in the pension and allowance, beginning on January 1st as well, according to the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith.
He added that as the new millennium approached he hoped these special payments would be seen as a gesture of acknowledgement of the contribution made by veterans.