asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the cause of the delay in paying the customary gratuity to Mr. Thomas Kelly, Mile Mill, Kilcullen, County Kildare, whose services at the Curragh Camp were terminated through no fault of his own approximately 12 months ago; and when the gratuity will be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gratuity for Former Employee at Curragh Camp.
There is no record of a Mr. Thomas Kelly, Mile Mill, Kilcullen, having been employed at the Curragh Camp. There is a record of a Mr. Joseph Kelly, Mile Mill, Kilcullen, having been employed as a blacksmith at the Curragh. It is presumed that this is the ex-employee to whom the Deputy's question refers. If so, I would inform the Deputy that a gratuity has now been awarded and Mr. Kelly has been advised as to the steps which he should take to receive payment.
Can the Minister explain the delay?
Mr. Kelly did not apply until last December. It was then necessary to compile details of his service, pay, and so on. There was considerable pressure in the offices of the Corps of Engineers at the Curragh at the time and that was not completed until February.