asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a large number of married Army reservists, with dependents, living in Dublin, who would normally be in receipt of unemployment assistance, receive only 15/3 per week Army pay during the four months' period of their military training; that as a consequence their wives are obliged to apply to the Dublin Board of Assistance for outdoor relief, and if he will favourably consider the granting of separation allowances to such reservists and take the necessary steps to that end.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Separation Allowances to Reservists' Wives.
As regards the first part of the question, I might point out that the reservist is maintained while he is on annual training. As regards the second part, the position is that a reservist who was in receipt of marriage allowance at the date of his transfer to the Reserve is entitled to and receives marriage allowance during the period of his annual training.
The period of annual training is, of course, four weeks, and not four months as stated in the question.
Arising out of that answer, is the Minister not aware that quite a number of married men called up for training were formerly in receipt of unemployment assistance, and that the fact that they are separated now worsens their condition? They are not now receiving as much as formerly and have to go to the local rates?
The position is that any of them entitled to marriage allowance while serving in the Army will get marriage allowance when they are called up.