asked the Minister for Defence if he will state with reference to members of the Army Nursing Service (a) if the gratuity for emergency service will be calculated on an inclusive basis of salary and allowances; (b) if nurses, whose services are retained in the Army in the post-war period, will benefit from such gratuities; and (c) what plans he has prepared or intends to prepare for settling back into other services or positions members who are discharged in the post-war period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Nursing Service.
The gratuity which may be granted to a member of the Army Nursing Service is payable in accordance with the provisions of Article 32 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, 1937 (S.R. & O. No. 249). The gratuity is calculated on the basis of one month's pay for each year of qualifying service.
Nurses who are retained in the Army Nursing Service after the emergency will be paid such gratuities should they leave the service before qualifying for a pension.
I propose to ask local authorities to give preference in the matter of employment of nurses to ex-members of the Army Nursing Service.