asked the Minister for Defence why dependent's allowance has not been granted to Martin Keating, Ballyshannon, Co. Kildare, and his daughters in respect of his son, Volunteer Thomas Keating, No. 20757, at present stationed in Clonakilty; whether the Minister is aware that Martin Keating is 78 years of age, that he and his daughters were dependent on the son and received £1 weekly, apart from maintenance, from the son prior to enlistment; that the son joined the Army in May, 1922; and to ask that the claim be granted, as these people are in a bad way financially.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - DEPENDENTS' ALLOWANCES.
On local investigation it was ascertained that Volunteer Keating was in the habit of contributing £1 per week to his household prior to his enlistment, and that this contribution covered the cost of his own maintenance therein, which was estimated at 12s. per week. The extent of the dependence of his home, namely, 8s. per week, was therefore less than the minimum required by regulations, that is to say, 12s. per week, before an allowance may be issued.
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 dependents a reasonable portion of his Army pay, this portion being calculated as 8s. per week in the case of a soldier receiving ordinary rates of pay.
asked the Minister for Defence why Mrs. Kathleen Timon, Upper Irishtown, Athlone, has not received dependent's allowance in respect of her husband, who joined the National Army the 8th February, 1923, and is now stationed at Castle Barracks, Athlone; whether he is aware that Mrs. Timon forwarded her marriage certificate on two occasions by registered post and has received no acknowledgment, and to ask whether allowance is to be granted in this case.
The marriage certificate does not appear to have been received at G.H.Q. The allowance is, however, being granted forthwith.