asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that married N.C.O's. of the National Army who have been instructing the L.D.F. in rural areas and who have their families living with them were granted an allowance of 6/- daily, whilst N.C.O's. instructing the L.D.F. in the cities and who were living at home with their families were paid only 4/- daily as allowances, although the cost of living in the cities is and has been much higher than in the country; and whether he proposes to increase the allowances to the latter class of N.C.O's.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - L.D.F. Instructors.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The difference between the rate paid in the urban areas and that paid in the rural areas is based on the fact that non-commissioned officers in the urban areas are working in compact districts and can return to their homes at night, while those serving in the rural areas are required to work in scattered districts and frequently have to spend the night away from home thus incurring greater expense. It is not proposed to increase the allowance payable to non-commissioned officers employed in the urban areas.