asked the Minister for Defence whether widows of NCOs and lower ranks in the Army are entitled to any allowance or benefit on the death of their husbands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows of Army Personnel.
21.
Non-commissioned officers and privates are insured under the Social Welfare Acts for contributory widows' and orphans' pension purposes and their widows and children do not, therefore, come within the pension provisions of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes.
The widow of a non-commissioned officer or private who dies in service is, however, eligible under the schemes for payment of a gratuity related to his rank and service, provided such service is not less than three years. The widow of such a soldier whose service is 15 years or more is eligible for a gratuity amounting to one year's pay.
In addition, the Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of allowances to the widow and children of a non-commissioned officer or private—
(a) who is killed in service or dies of wound or injury attributable to service or
(b) whose death is due to disease attributable to service during the Emergency period or with a United Nations Force.