asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a large number of Volunteers normally in regular civilian employment have been called up for service with the Army; whether, under the regulations, the only payment to which they are entitled while serving with the forces is the sum of 14/- per week and that no payment of any kind is made to their families and dependents; whether the dependents of these men, many of whom were earning good rates of pay in civil employment, have made application to the poor law authorities for assistance, and whether in the circumstances he will make provision for the payment of adequate allowances to the wives and other dependents of all men called up for Army service, and if so, when he will he in a position to announce such scale of allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Volunteers' Dependents.
The Deputy appears to be under a misapprehension. Whilst it is true that a large number of Volunteers normally in regular civilian employment have been called, up for service with the Army it is not correct to suggest that under the regulations the only payment to which they are entitled while serving with the force is the sum of 14/- per week, and that no payment of any kind is made to their families and dependents. Married and widower Volunteers while on permanent service are entitled to marriage allowance and or children's allowance at the same rates and under the same conditions as non-commissioned officers and men of the permanent forces, provided that such Volunteers were married not later than the day on which they reported to their units. Similarly officers of the Volunteer force while on permanent service are entitled to lodging, fuel and light allowance and children's allowance at the same rates and under the same conditions as officers of the forces, provided that. marriage took place not later than the day on which the officer reported to his unit.
It is not proposed to issue allowances to the dependents of single officers and soldiers who have been called out on permanent service. In any case where hardship has resulted from attendance for such service, an application by the officer or soldier for exemption will be considered by an Exemption Board which has been set up to deal with such applications.
I am aware that some applications have been made to the Poor Law Authorities for assistance by the dependents of volunteers called out on permanent service.
The last part of the question does not arise.
In connection with the rate of payment of volunteers, I must point out that the sum of 14/- per week mentioned by the Deputy represents the minimum rate. A considerable number of volunteers is entitled to additional pay in respect of trade and other qualification.
Is the Minister not aware that many persons called up as Volunteers for service in the Regular Army have been obliged to leave their wives and children without any allowance so far, whatever the position may be in the future? That fact is crystallised by the applications which their wives are making to the local authorities and charitable organisations throughout the country. Does the Minister not consider that some steps should be taken with a view to expediting payment of allowances in these cases? I have had complaints from persons throughout the country that they were called out of civilian employment and that their wives and children received no dependents' allowance from the Army authorities. I am sure other Deputies have had similar complaints.
That is so in some cases, but it is not general. In some cases, inquiries were necessary in order to guard against fraud. In the past, fraudulent claims were made and a large amount of money was expended in that way. There is also the factor that men were married in the period between leaving the Regular Army and the present time and did not inform the authorities of the fact. That has to be investigated. As I pointed out at the beginning of proceedings, we have nearly cleared off all the claims and we are expediting, as far as possible, every case of the kind mentioned by the Deputy.
If the Minister will not disband this perfectly unnecessary, useless and expensive force, why does he not disband, at all events, the married portion of it?
Arising out of the reply of the Minister to one portion of the question, is it intended to make any provision in the case of young men called up for service in the regular Army who, prior to being so called up, were the sole support of either aged parents or younger brothers or sisters who are unemployed? Is it intended to provide any allowance in these cases and why the discrimination against such men?
There is hardly a case of that kind in the forces at present. Practically every one of these men has applied for exemption and has been exempted.
Is the Minister not aware that some persons, taken out of civilian employment, have claimed exemption and are still in the Army and that Deputies cannot get any information from the Army authorities about them?
I am aware that a large number of people who applied for exemption have been exempted. Some men delayed their applications to the commanding officers and these applications were not dealt with in the first instance. They will be dealt with in the course of the ordinary routine.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the pay and allowances of Volunteers called up for Army service, and the allowances pay able in respect of their dependents.
The reply to this question is in the form of a tabular statement which I shall read if the Deputy so desires.
It is not necessary to read it.
It will be circulated in the Official Report.
Following is the reply:
Rates of Pay.
The rates of pay of Volunteers called out for permanent service are as follows:—
Officers.
|
Rank. |
Rates per day. |
|
Lieutenant |
10/- |
|
2nd/Lieutenant |
8/- |
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates.
|
Rank. |
Rates per day. |
|
Sergeant |
5/- |
|
Corporal |
4/- |
|
Private Class I |
2/3 |
|
Privates Classes II, III and IV |
2/- |
Allowances—Officers.
The allowances payable to married and widower officers are as follows:—
|
Rates per day. |
|
|
Lodging, fuel and light |
7/- |
|
Children's allowance (payable in respect of each child after three in number) |
6d. |
Ration allowance is issuable to all officers, the normal rate being 1/10 per diem.
Non-Commissioned Officers and Men.
The marriage and children's allowances issuable to all married and widower non-commissioned officers and men of the Reserve (the Volunteer force) called out on permanent service and who were married not later than the day on which they reported to their units for such service, are as follows:—
Rates per day:—Wife's allowance, 1/-; one child, 1/-; two children, 1/6; three children, 1/9; four children, 2/-; for each additional child, 3d.