asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the hardships of soldiers' wives through the practice of his Department to pay them their allowances fortnightly instead of weekly, that the fortnightly payments mean that they have to try to secure credits, where if they had cash much better value could be secured; if he will consider the desirability of increasing their allowances and paying them weekly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Soldiers' Dependents' Allowances.
Mr. Byrne
I am not aware that the fortnightly payment of marriage allowance to soldiers' wives has resulted in hardships which would be obviated by payment of the allowance weekly and, as I informed the Deputy when he raised the question on a former occasion, I cannot see my way to cause the allowance to be issued weekly in view of the very large additional cost which the Deputy's proposal would involve. The rates of marriage allowance were increased last August and it is not proposed to grant any further increase.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister states that he is not aware of the hardship caused by fortnightly instead of weekly payment. Does not anybody of common sense know that a person receiving money weekly and who has cash in hand can get better value than a person who is paid only fortnightly? In view of the hardships caused, will the Minister give these people something additional to meet increases in cost?
I have had the question the Deputy asked very carefully examined both on the present occasion and on a former occasion. The reasons which prevailed formerly have been added to since and it would not be feasible to change the system which obtains at present.
Mr. Byrne
Since the payments to soldiers' wives and families were fixed, the cost of bacon and butter has gone up by 15 per cent. Surely, the Minister will give them something extra so that they may be able to buy the same quantity of goods they bought last August to meet the requirements of their families?