Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Mar 1922

Vol. S2 No. 3

RELIEF OF DISABLED SOLDIERS.

TOMAS O DEIRG

asked the Minister for Finance:—

(a) Whether the item "Special Work" in the estimate submitted by him to Dáil Éireann for the Department of Defence for the half year ending 30th June, 1922, includes provision for the payment of Army debts throughout the country and if so whether he can give any further particulars.

(b) Whether any provision has been made in the estimates submitted by him to Dáil Éireann for the half year ending 30th June, 1922, for the relief or maintenance of disabled or distressed soldiers of the I.R.A., whether any steps have been taken by the Cabinet in this urgent matter, and whether fuller information might not be laid before Dáil Éireann if any definite scheme is in contemplation.

(c) Whether the number of officials in the different departments of An Dáil and the salaries paid to them are the same now as on January 1st, 1922, and if he can state the figures in each case.

(d) Whether the sums are at present allocated to the Home Affairs Department for the maintenance of Republican Police, and whether any further particulars are available beyond those supplied in the estimate for the Home Affairs Department.

MINISTER OF FINANCE (MR. COLLINS):

(a) My attention has not been drawn to any army debts and there is no provision for army debts in the estimates.

(b) From its financial resources it was obviously impossible for Dáil Éireann to introduce any scheme that would be worthy of the name in that connection. There is another body doing it and it will be done as soon as the transfer from the English is complete.

(c) I refer the Deputy for West Mayo to the answer I gave yesterday to the Deputy for St. Patrick's.

(d) To the first part of the question, yes; to the second part of the question, no.