asked the Minister for Defence whether it is correct that 320 other ranks of the Army were taken from the Curragh Camp by special train to Dublin and billeted under canvas in Cathal Brugha barracks, and if he is aware that the married personnel by reason thereof lose their continuous ration allowance, and, if so, if he will state the total amount so lost by such personnel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Ration Allowances.
Three hundred and forty-seven other ranks from the Curragh training camp were moved by special train to Dublin on the 18th June, 1952, to undergo a course of training and were billeted under canvas in Cathal Brugha Barracks. While in Cathal Brugha barracks these men, including married personnel, were on the ration strength and were in receipt of rations in kind. Under Defence Force Regulations such married personnel were ineligible to draw ration allowance, which is payable only when personnel are not on the ration strength. They were on the ration strength for a total period of nine days and, accordingly, were ineligible to draw ration allowance at the rate of 3/1 per day for that period. The amount involved by reason of the non-payment of ration allowance to married personnel for the period in question was £1 7s. 9d. per head, but it is obvious that this sum cannot be classified as a loss.