asked the Minister for Defence if he can state why payment of dependents' allowance was discontinued from 18th December, 1923, to Mrs. Bridget Donohoe, of Grange, Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, in respect of her two sons, Thomas and Michael Donohoe, who are serving in the Army, and if he is aware that they were her principal support.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DEPENDENTS' ALLOWANCE (EYRECOURT.)
Payment of dependents' allowance to Mrs. Donohoe was not discontinued from 18th December, 1923, in respect of either of her sons. It was, however, discontinued from 22nd December, 1923, in the case of Thomas, as the soldier re-attested on that date, and in accordance with the current regulations relating to pay, etc., the allowance is not issuable in the case of a soldier who re-attests. The allowance in respect of Michael ceased on the 13th March, 1924, the date of his re-attestation.
Arising out of that answer, will the Minister take some steps to inform the dependents of soldiers who re-attest that they are no longer eligible for dependents' allowance, as in many cases they are not aware of it? Could a circular or something of that kind be issued?
I would like to examine, first of all, the case from the point of view of the number of letters that should be sent out in that connection. As we are now approaching Easter I could not promise, having regard to the large number, that it would be possible to do that immediately. But the soldiers themselves know the new circumstances. I will consider the point.
Might I suggest that the President should put in an advertisement in the Press to that effect? I am sure every Deputy receives many inquiries on this matter. Personally I do, and it would be advisable, I think, that the people should be notified by public advertisement that they will not get this allowance.
Is it not a fact that the new terms of enlistment specify that those who re-attest will not get the allowance, and were not those terms issued in the public Press?
Yes.
What more nonsense about it, then?
Is the President aware that an order was recently issued stating that the dependents' allowance will only be made from the date of application, and can he say if that is an official order?
I have not seen the official order, but I will inquire about it, if that suits the Deputy.