asked the Minister for Defence if Margaret Coogan, widow, of Castlecomer, is in receipt of dependent's allowance in respect of her orphan nephew, James Gleeson, who joined the National Army in April, 1922, and who before enlistment contributed at least one pound per week to her, and if not, whether he will take this case into consideration and have it reviewed.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - CASTLECOMER DEPENDENTS' ALLOWANCE.
Mrs. Coogan's claim was disallowed on the ground that the net amount normally contributed by her nephew, James Gleeson, to her support was less than the minimum required by the regulations, namely, 12/- per week, before an allowance might be issued. It was ascertained that prior to enlistment James Gleeson was in receipt of £1 per week and was boarded by his employer. After making a reasonable deduction in respect of clothing, pocket money and incidental expenses it cannot be accepted that the net contribution to Mrs. Coogan could have amounted to 12/- per week. The regulations governing the matter were based on the recognition of an obligation on the part of an unmarried soldier to contribute a reasonable portion of his Army remuneration—in Gleeson's case 8/- per week—towards the support of his dependents.