asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the grave hardship caused to dependants of deceased married officers, who die before retirement and, consequently, are ineligible for gratuities, by the operation of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme (S. R. & O., No. 249 of 1937); and, if so, if he will amend the scheme in order to prevent such hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dependents of Deceased Married Officers.
Provision is made in the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, as follows, for the widow and children of a deceased officer of the Forces who dies while serving:—
1. Where the service of the deceased officer is 12 years or more, pensions are payable to the widow and children at the rates laid down in the Table to Article 20, sub-article (1), of the scheme.
2. Where the service of the deceased officer is less than 12 years, a gratuity is payable to the widow or child or children, based on 30 days' pay for each year of service.
The married officer's gratuity payable under Article 11 of the scheme to a married officer on his retirement from the Forces is not payable, however, to his widow or child or children, in the event of his death while serving.
The question of amending the scheme so as to make this gratuity available for an officer's dependents in the event of his death while serving, is under consideration.
Will the Minister make it retrospective to cover cases of officers who have died recently, who had not retired and whose wives consequently are ineligible for the gratuity?
That would be a different question. However, the whole situation in that respect is being examined.