asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce legislation whereby he may pay a resettlement gratuity, comparable to that at present paid to officers on retirement, to N.C.O.s and to other ranks in the Defence Forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldiers' Resettlement Gratuity.
The question of revising the terms of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes, 1937 to 1957, in so far as non-commissioned officers and privates are concerned, is receiving my close attention at the present time. I regret, however, that I am not in a position to say at this stage what the outcome will be. In the meantime I expect in the near future to amend the Defence Force Regulation A.11 so as to give an extended period of predischarge leave to non-commissioned officers and men on retirement.