asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Mrs. Dorringtons, Ballintrasna, Moate, has not received dependant's allowance in respect of her son, Chisttopher, who joined the Army on January 1st, 1922, and is now stationed at Longford; and, further if he is aware that Mrs. Dorringtons received 10s. weekly from her son prior to his joining the Army, that this was irrespective of his maintenance, and that the mother has no other means of support, and if the Minister will see if the allowance is granted?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - DEPENDANT'S ALLOWANCE.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The claim of Mrs Dorringtons, who was partially supported by her son Christopher, was, after due investigation, disallowed on the ground that the extent of dependence which in the case of an unmarried soldier is taken to be the amount normally contributed by him to his home over and above the cost (if any) of his own maintenance for a reasonable period prior to enlistment was less than the minimum specified by the regulations, that is, 12/- per week, before an allowance can be given.
It should be stated that the regulations governing the matter are based on the recognition of an obligation on the part of an unmarried soldier to contribute to the support of his dependants a reasonable portion of his Army pay, this portion being calculated as 8/- per week in the case of a soldier receiving ordinary rate of pay.