asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing some form of State recognition for the members of the voluntary emergency defence force services who have given continuous service since 1940; and if he will give special consideration to such members who are holders of the Active Service Medal but who are not in receipt of a military service pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Emergency Services.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy P.S. Doyle's question on this subject on the 29th November, 1944, in which I intimated that the Government had decided to award a medal in respect of service during the emergency to members of the voluntary services.
It is not proposed that members of these services who rendered national service previously should receive special consideration because of such previous service.
Is it proposed to give any monetary reward to these volunteers? A medal is not very much use to a poor man.
No, it is not.