asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what arrangements are being made to compensate the dependents of Irish citizens who have lost or may lose their lives through war activities at sea whilst sailing in Irish ships; if any arrangements for temporary assistance to dependents have been made in the case of the Limerick owned steamship "Clonlara" or other Irish owned or registered ships which have been lost or damaged at sea.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Seamen's Dependents.
Mr. Byrne
Pensions are being paid by my Department to the widows and families and certain other dependents of seamen whether of Irish nationality or not who have lost their lives through war activities whilst serving on Irish ships. Pending the examination of a widow's claim to compensation she is paid provisionally the sum of 50/- a week for a period of ten weeks, and thereafter she receives a substantive pension at a rate determined by the rank of her husband on his ship, together with supplementary allowances in respect of all children under 16. Seven such provisional payments are being made to the widows of seamen who lost their lives when the Clonlara was sunk.