asked the Minister for Defence if he will cause the allowances and pay payable to the wives of members of the National Army to be paid weekly, instead of fortnightly as is the present practice; also, if he will say whether it is proposed to increase their allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Dependents' Allowances.
Marriage allowance is at present, in accordance with regulations, issued fortnightly in arrear to dependents of soldiers, and owing to the very large extra cost which would be involved by the Deputy's proposal, I cannot see my way to cause the allowance to be issued weekly. It is not proposed to increase the present allowance.
Is it a fact that, in certain circumstances, these allowances can be paid weekly?
No, it would involve a very large extension of the staff. It would involve a doubling of the staff and that would not be possible in present circumstances.
At the moment, are allowances being paid weekly in any cases?
No.