Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces—Provision for Dependents. – Dáil Éireann (14th Dáil) – Wednesday, 11 Mar 1953

Mr. Dillon

asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what provision is made for the dependents of members of the Defence Forces accidentally killed while on duty.

Mr. Traynor

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to have it circulated with the Official Report.

I should mention that increases in the rates of certain of the allowances set out in the statement will be provided for in the recently introduced Army Pensions Bill, 1953.

TABULAR STATEMENT.

ARMY PENSIONS ACTS.

Allowances payable to dependents of personnel killed on duty.

Sub-section 15 (2) and the Seventh Schedule of the Army Pensions Act, 1927, as amended by Section 5 of the Army Pensions Act, 1943, and Section 10 of the Army Pensions Act, 1946, and Sections 6 and 7 of the Army Pensions Act, 1949, and Section 11 of the Army Pensions (Increase) Act, 1949, provide the following allowances for the widows, children and other dependents of officers and soldiers killed on duty:—

OFFICERS.
1. Widow of 2nd Lieutenant, Lieutent or Captain	£90 per annum during widowhood
Widow of Lieutenant Colonel or Commandant	£135 ,,,,,,,,
Widow of Colonel or higher rank	£170 ,,,,,,,,
2. Widow of Officer (any rank)	£120 gratuity on first remarriage.
3. Children who are, in the case of sons, under the age of 18 years and, in the case of daughters, un-married and under the age of 21 years.	(a) While mother is living, £16 per annum for each child;(b) After death of mother, £30 per annum for each child.
4. Children over the age of 11 and under the age of 18.	Repayment of amount proved to have been in fact necessarily and properly expended in educational fees but not exceeding £30 in any one calendar year in respect of any one child. This allowance is additional to the allowance at No. 3.
5. Mother; father over the age of 60 years or incapacitated by ill-health; permanently invalided brother or permanently invalided unmarried sister; grandparents.	An allowance of £52 per annum to one or more wholly dependent relatives as opposite. Where there is no wholly dependent relative, one allowance of £52 per annum to a mainly dependent relative. Where there are no wholly or mainly dependent relatives, a gratuity not exceeding £112 10s. to a partially dependent relative or divided between more than one partially dependent relatives.

SOLDIERS.
1. Widow	12/6 per week during widowhood and gratuity of £50 on first remarriage.
2. Children who are, in the case of sons, under the age of 18 and, in the case of daughters, unmarried and under the age of 18.	(a) While mother is living, 4/- per week for each child;(b) After death of mother, 8/- per week for each child.
3. Mother; father over the age of 60 years or incapacitated by ill-health; permanently invalided brother or permanently invalided unmarried sister; grandparents.	An allowance of £26 per annum to one or more wholly dependent relatives as opposite. Where there is no wholly dependent relative, one allowance of £26 per annum to a mainly dependent relative. Where there are no wholly or mainly dependent relatives, a gratuity not exceeding £112 10s. to a partially dependent relative or divided between more than one partially dependent relatives.

The widow and children of a deceased soldier are entitled to a contributory pension (which is not subject to a means test) under the Social Welfare Act, 1952. Under Section 13 of the Army Pensions Act, 1941, the allowances shown above for widows and children may, in respect of any period during which such a pension is payable, be reduced by such amount as the Minister for Defence, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may determine.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1953