To ask the Minister for Defence why dependants' allowance has not been granted to Mrs. Dully, Courtdevenish, Athlone, in respect of her sons, Captain Thomas Dully and Sergeant Patrick Dully, both of whom are stationed in Athlone, and if he is aware that both officers were actively engaged in the Anglo-Irish War, and if he will state the policy of the Government with regard to mothers who are dependent on their sons in the Army.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DEPENDANTS' ALLOWANCES.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The claim of Mrs. Dully, which has been under local investigation, has recently been assessed, and payment of an allowance is now being made. As regards allowances for mothers of officers who are dependent on their sons an allowance is payable to them at the rate of 5/- per day in cases in which they were wholly supported out of the earnings of their sons for a reasonable period before enlistment. In the cases of mothers partially dependent on officers, allowances are payable commensurate with the financial loss sustained as a result of their enlistment and on the assumption that they contribute approximately one third of their total army pay to the support of their mothers. Such cases fall into classes represented by the rates of 7/-, 14/-, 21/-, and 28/- per week, which are the amounts actually issuable according to the circumstances of each case. These rates are not applicable in the case of officers now being formally commissioned, who receive the revised rates of pay. In their case dependants' allowances are not issuable in any circumstances.
To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made, without success, for dependant's allowance on behalf of Matthew McPhilips, Dale Street, Drogheda, who has been serving in the Army since March, 1922, and is now stationed at Millmount Barracks, Drogheda, and whether he can give an assurance that this matter will be set right without further delay.
A claim made by Mrs. McPhilips, who was partially dependent on her son, Corporal McPhilips prior to his enlistment, was investigated locally in December last. It was established on the information available that the extent of dependency was about 10/- per week. The minimum extent required by regulations before an allowance can be issued is 12/- per week. Mrs. McPhilips was notified accordingly on the 22nd December that her claim was disallowed. However, recent representations have given fresh information. The case is, therefore, being re-investigated.