asked the Minister for Defence if he is in a position to publish detailed plans for (a) the demobilisation of men who joined the Defence Forces for the emergency; (b) the resettlement of such men in civilian life; and (c) the financial provision of such men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Demobilisation of Defence Forces.
I am not in a position to publish detailed plans regarding the matters to which the Deputy refers, but they are under active consideration.
When might the Dáil, the public and the people concerned expect to get plans with regard to the resettlement of temporary soldiers in civilian life? A country engaged in fighting a world war with millions of soldiers on hands is able to produce detailed plans. In the meantime, would the Minister consider releasing from service any soldier who can get secure employment?
In reply to the latter portion of the question, that is actually operating at the moment. If an individual soldier can prove that he can secure permanent employment outside, we generally release him, provided he is not filling some very important key position. In regard to the other portion of the supplementary question, I can only say that the matter is under very urgent consideration.
Would the Minister look into what is considered "important key positions"? I am aware of the fact that some are let out when there is evidence of a good civilian job; other are not and the statement is that they cannot be spared.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, in which he intimated that persons are being released from the Army if they can produce evidence that they can secure civilian employment, would the Minister say if that applies also in the case of persons who want to resume employment on agricultural holdings—to resume employment on their fathers' lands, for instance?
No, we have to be very careful in this matter. There cannot be any general release and I do not think Deputies should encourage anything like that by this type of question. Wherever it is possible to release these men, after investigation, where we are satisfied that the facts are as stated, we do our utmost to release them. We have to be very careful: we cannot take if for granted, as has already been said, that we are out of the wood.