To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made without success for dependants' allowance on behalf of Volunteer William O'Brien, 7th Reserve Company, Kilmacthomas Union (Pay Book No. 23520), and whether he can give an assurance that this matter will be set right without further delay.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - DEPENDANTS' ALLOWANCES.
Only one application appears to have been received by the Army Pay Corps. An allowance is now being paid to the dependants of Volunteer O'Brien.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware that dependants' allowance has not been paid to Mrs. Dillon, Stafford Street, Nenagh, on account of her son, Christopher Dillon, No. 5233, who joined the National Army on the 30th October, 1922, and is at present stationed at Kildare; and if, in view of the fact that this woman is a widow, and that her son, Christopher, was her chief support, he will expedite payment of this claim.
No application appears to have been received from Mrs. Dillon. However, on the information conveyed in the question her claim is being investigated.
To ask the Minister for Defence whether a claim has been made for dependant's allowance by Mrs. Harrison, of Harbour Street, Ballinasloe, on account of her son, Private Patrick Harrison (No. 634), who joined the National Army in February or March, 1922; whether her claim has been disallowed; if so, will he state the grounds on which it was disallowed, and, as the claim is apparently a deserving one, would he be prepared to give it further consideration.
On local investigation evidence could not be found that Mrs. Harrison was regularly supported by her son, Private Harrison, for a reasonable period prior to his enlistment. It appears that she was entirely dependant on the earnings of other sons.
On the ground that she had not suffered financially to the extent of 12/- or more per week as a result of the enlistment of her son Patrick her claim was disallowed. Twelve shillings per week is the minimum extent of dependancy that must have existed before an allowance can be granted in accordance with our regulations.
In view of the circumstances mentioned and of the fact that our dependants' allowances regulations in the cases of single soldiers 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 there appears to be no ground on which to give the case further consideration.
To ask the Minister for Defence if a dependant's allowance has yet been paid to Mrs. Duggan, of Brewery Lane, Ballinasloe, mother of Patrick Duggan (14972), now stationed at Ennis, who joined the National Army in Ballinasloe, on March 1st, 1922; and, if not, will he see that consideration of the claim is expedited.
An allowance is now being issued to Mrs. Duggan.