asked the Minister for Defence if he will state why dependent's allowance has not been paid to Mrs. Margaret O'Gorman, Monabricka, Ballygran, Charleville, Co. Cork, in respect of the services of her son, John O'Gorman, No. 4066, who joined the National Army at Charleville on the 15th August, 1922, and who is at present attached to the 10th Infantry Battalion, stationed at Ennis, Co. Clare; if he is aware that this Volunteer's wages prior to enlistment were 16s. per week, plus board and lodging, of which, as the parish priest and local Peace Commissioners are prepared to vouch, more than 12s. per week was contributed to his mother, and if, in view of this, he will give instructions for the payment of allowance to his mother from the date of his enlistment.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - CHARLEVILLE DEPENDENT'S ALLOWANCE CLAIM.
In her application for dependent's allowance dated the 7th May, 1923, Mrs. O'Gorman stated that prior to enlistment her son John had been in receipt of £36 per annum plus board and lodgings. This statement has been verified. When a reasonable sum is deducted to cover the cost of her son's clothing, pocket money and incidental expenses, it will be found that his net contribution to the support of his home was less than the minimum required by regulations, namely, 12s. a week, before an allowance might be issued. Mrs. O'Gorman's claim was therefore disallowed. I regret that the disallowance must stand.
I may add that the regulations governing the matter were based on an obligation on the part of a soldier to contribute to his home a reasonable proportion—about a third—of his Army pay.