asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of men demobilised in the year 1923; (b) the number who have applied for back pay, and (c) the number who have been refused on the grounds that they had not claimed before December 1st, 1924; and if he will state whether all officers and men who were demobilised up to August, 1924, were officially informed that any claim for back pay arising by way of arrears in and prior to 1922-23 should be submitted by them not later than December 1st, 1924.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NATIONAL ARMY DEMOBILISATIONS.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The number of Officers, N.C.O.'s and men demobilised during the year 1923 was 24,452. The total number of applications received for arrears of pay was 5,936. These were disposed of as follows:—
|
Claims paid in full or in part |
4,215 |
|
,,lodged, but not pressed by claimant |
1,011 |
|
,,disallowed after investigation |
704 |
|
,,still under investigation |
6 |
|
5,936 |
The number of claims received since 1st December, 1924 is 304. No formal official notice was given to Officers, N.C.O.s and men on demobilisation that claims for arrears of pay should be submitted not later than the 1st December, 1924, but ample opportunities were afforded to men, both while serving and subsequently, to make application for arrears alleged to be due. The natural assumption is that claims having any merits would have been lodged before that date, and, accordingly, no action was taken on claims received subsequent to that date.
Is the Minister aware that large numbers of men have been deprived of two or three months' pay to which they were entitled? Is he aware that there have been applications and that the applicants have been informed, as their applications were not received prior to 1st December, 1924, they were not going to be considered? I want to ascertain from the Minister whether he thinks that is just, and if he is aware that these men have not been officially notified about arrears of pay? Does the Minister think it is just and fair to deprive them of the money they have lawfully earned?
I think that anyone who was entitled to arrears of pay knew what he was to get and got it. All who were entitled to pay have been dealt with and their cases settled, with the exception of six.
I am not satisfied at all with the reply of the Minister, and I think that the men who answered the call and took up arms in 1922 and 1923 are entitled to the full amount of the wages earned in the same way as if they were working for a firm, and they were in a more dangerous position——
The Deputy is making a speech now.
I give notice that I will raise this question on the adjournment.