asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the rates of pensions for N.C.O.s and men who complete 21 years' service are based on basic rank pay exclusive of marriage and other allowances, thus making the pension extremely low; and, if so, whether he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to have their pension based on rank pay plus allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensions.
Mr. A. Byrne
A married soldier who is discharged on completion of 21 years' service is granted, in addition to the pension based on his rank, an additional pension known as a married pension. It will be seen, therefore, that a married soldier does, in fact, receive a higher pension than an unmarried soldier.
Mr. A. Byrne
Would the Minister answer the last line of the question: if he will have their pension based on rank pay plus allowances? There is no regard for allowances and I should like to know if there is any good reason why they do not get pension on these allowances?
The Deputy will have to give a little more study to the answer.
Mr. A. Byrne
The Minister has not answered the question at all. The question was officially supplied to me and that last line is the important line in it, as to whether they will get pensions on their allowances.
Will the Deputy study the answer I have given?