asked the Minister for Defence if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the number of widowers serving in the National Army who have dependent children being cared for by a female relative or guardian, and if he will see that an allowance will be paid to every such relative or guardian similar to that paid to a soldier's wife.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldiers' Dependent Children.
The number of widower soldiers serving in the Defence Forces in respect of whose children allowances are issuable to guardians under Defence Force Regulations is 211.
The question of the issue to the guardian of the children of a widower soldier of an amount equal to the wife's allowance has been under consideration for some time and it has been decided to pay such an allowance, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. The necessary regulations are being prepared.
Questions 25 and 26 will be repeated and answered to-morrow when the Minister is in attendance.