asked the Minister for Defence whether there is any authority under existing regulations to pay allowances in respect of adopted children in the case of men volunteering for Army service, and, if not, whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that adopted children will be included among the dependents of serving soldiers in respect of whom allowances are payable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances for Adopted Children.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
Is the Minister aware that those men who joined the Army did get the statutory allowance when they were drawing unemployment benefit?
Yes.
I take it, then, that Article 45 of the Constitution is meaningless, as it purports to support the weaker section of the community even to the extent of supporting orphans.
The adoption of these children is purely voluntary.
Surely the Minister is aware that if these children had been left in the institutions where they were born the State would have to support them. Those people who were willing to adopt them should get allowances for them.