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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 1924

Vol. 9 No. 24

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CLAIMS BY DISCHARGED VOLUNTEERS.

asked the Minister for Defence whether the enquiries regarding the claims for ration money, marriage allowance, and gratuity on discharge of the Volunteers, employed on the Sewage Farm, Electric Light Station, Pumping Station, and Tractor Service, Curragh Camp, are yet completed, and if he can state when the men concerned may expect payment.

Previous to enlistment the men referred to were civilian employees engaged on the maintenance of the services mentioned by the Deputy, under the control of the Office of Public Works. In October, 1922, it was arranged for their own protection that these men should be attested as soldiers, but should continue their duties under conditions exactly similar to those they were accustomed to. They did, in fact, continue their civil duties and were not called upon to perform any work of a purely military nature. The express condition of their attestation was that their pay subsequently should not be less than their civil pay. If military remuneration proved to be less, the difference would be made up by the Commissioners of Public Works. The Commissioners made weekly payments accordingly in nine out of the eleven cases. Dependents' allowance and marriage allowance were issued as portion of military remuneration in cases in which it was admissible that gratuities on discharge were also granted. No other allowances were contemplated to be issued. In all the circumstances the claim preferred by the Deputy cannot be acceded to.

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