asked the Minister for Defence if it is the intention of the Government to increase the allowances paid to soldiers' dependents, in order that they may be able to cope with the increasing cost of living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldiers' Dependents' Allowances.
In view of the increases in marriage and children's allowances which have been authorised since the commencement of the emergency, I regret that a further increase cannot be granted.
Is the Minister aware of the extreme hardships that are being experienced by soldiers' dependents at the present time by reason of the small allowances they are receiving? Surely, it is not suggested that the amount of money which is being paid to soldiers' dependents is sufficient to provide them with the ordinary necessaries of life at the present time.
Some of them have no allowances.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the discontent caused by the inadequate allowances given to soldiers' wives and dependent children; if, in view of the rapid rise in prices for the necessities of life, food and clothing, he will cause a reasonable increase in their allowances to be made without further delay; and if he will grant a rent allowance to all married soldiers.
As the Deputy is aware, marriage and children's allowances have been increased since the commencement of the emergency. In the circumstances, I regret that a further increase in the allowances cannot be granted nor can an allowance be made in respect of rent.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that, since he increased the allowances nearly 12 months ago, the cost of living has gone up by at least 20 per cent., and that to-day in Dublin City there are soldiers' wives and their families threatened with eviction because they are not able to keep up the payment of their rents? Will he do something to see that they are treated equally as well as when their husbands were at home? Some of those women have told me that when their husbands were at home unemployed their families were getting better treatment from the State than they are getting to-day. Will the Minister do something in that direction?
I have already done it.
Mr. Byrne
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of Ministers' replies to this question, and to question No. 18, I propose, with the permission of the Chair, to raise these matters on the adjournment of the House.
Is the Minister aware that, since the last increase was given, the cost of living has gone up by 48 points?
Of course, I am.
And the Minister thinks they can live on that?
I am aware of what we have done in respect of raising the amount of allowances payable to the wives and dependents of the men in the Army.
Does the Minister realise that since he made that effort in the beginning of the emergency the inflationary rise in prices has gone apace? Is he aware that a soldier's wife could buy a shirt for a little boy at the beginning of the emergency at about 2/-, and that now she has to pay from 5/- to 6/- for the same shirt?
Mr. Byrne
I propose, on the adjournment of the House this evening, to raise the matters dealt with in Questions 18 and 27.
The Deputy must select one.
Mr. Byrne
I propose to raise the matter dealt with in Question 18.