asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the allowance made to Mrs. Mary McNeice, Ballinvalley, Delvin, Co. Westmeath, in respect of her son, William McNeice, 1st Eastern Division, who was killed in Cork on December 6th, 1922, has been stopped since March 8th, 1924; that on August 6th, 1924, she received a letter stating the matter was under consideration, and if he can now state what compensation this woman will receive for the loss of her son.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARMY ALLOWANCE STOPPED.
The issue to Mrs. McNeice of the allowance referred to by the Deputy was a continuation of dependent's allowance granted to her during her son's service in the Army, and was authorised in anticipation of an award under the Army Pensions Act, 1923. Her claim under that Act has been finally considered. It was ascertained that she had not been wholly dependent on her deceased son. A pension is therefore not issuable to her. Having regard to the sums already paid by way of the allowance referred to and to the circumstances of her case it has, I regret to say, been necessarily decided that no additional compensation may be granted to her. Mrs. McNeice was accordingly notified on the 15th December last, that her claim had been disallowed.