To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Mr. James O'Hara, Creeaghbeg, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, has made application for dependants' allowance in respect of his son, Volunteer James O'Hara, No. 21056, who was stationed at Moate up to the 13th of the present month, and whether the Minister is aware that Mr. O'Hara had been receiving £1 5s. 0d. on an average weekly from his son prior to enlistment, that the claimant is at present unemployed, and has six in family under ten years of age, and if in view of this the Minister will have the matter favourably re-considered.
[WRITTEN ANSWERS.] - DEPENDANTS' ALLOWANCES.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The application of Mr. O'Hara, who was partially dependent on his son's earnings has been investigated. It has been established that the extent of dependency amounted to about 6/- per week. No allowance is however, issuable under the regulations if dependency is less than 12/- per week. It should be stated that the regulations are based on a recognition of an obligation of a soldier to contribute at least 8/- per week from his Army pay to the support of his dependants.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that no dependants' allowance has been paid to Mrs. Anne Moore, Main Street, Moate, in respect of her son, Lieutenant Thomas Moore, stationed at Custume Barracks, Athlone. Further, whether the Minister is aware that Lieutenant Moore, prior to enlisting, was the chief support of the house, contributing £3 10s. 0d. weekly to his mother, and whether, in view of this, he will see that the allowance is granted.
It is regretted that owing to a clerical error Mrs. Moore's case was identified with another case, with the result that an allowance was not issued to her. Payment of the appropriate allowance and of arrears thereof is now being made.
To ask the Minister for Defence whether repeated applications for dependants' allowance have been made by Mrs. Tallon, Yellow Furze, Beauparc, Co. Meath, whose husband, Celentine Tallon, joined the Army on December 15th, 1922, and is at present stationed in Beggar's Bush Barracks; whether no reply has been made to these applications, and whether the Minister will expedite the settlement of this claim, as Mrs. Tallon is now in urgent need of the money for the support of herself and three children.
The receipt of applications for dependants' allowance for Mrs. Tallon cannot be traced. However, on receiving the question Mrs. Tallon was communicated with, and as a result the allowance is being paid, and the payment of all arrears has been made.