Vol. 180 No. 4
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that marriage and other allowances for children payable to the wife of a soldier (particulars supplied) have been stopped; and if he will state (a) the total amount owed to this lady to date, (b) the reason for the stoppage, and (c) what other means of feeding and clothing her family have been given to her by the Army authorities.
35.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the actual authority for the stoppage of marriage and other allowances to the wife of a soldier (particulars supplied).
36.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the rent of No. 5 F Block, Cathal Brugha Barracks, has been increased; and if he will state (1) the amount of the increase and date of effect, and (2) the reason and authority for this action.
I propose, with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together.
Paragraph 8 of Defence Force Regulations Q.6 provides that the Ard Cheathrúnach may, for reasons which to him seem sufficient, order the occupant of any married quarters to vacate them within a specified period.
Paragraph 89 (g) of Defence Force Regulations S.3 provides that if a soldier in occupation of married quarters fails, within a specified period, to vacate such quarters, when ordered by the Ard Cheathrúnach to do so, payment of marriage allowance shall cease as from the date following the expiry of the specified period.
Owing to the conduct of the wife of the soldier in the case to which the Deputy's Questions refer, the soldier's Officer Commanding decided that it would be in the best interests of the service that he should not be allowed to continue in occupation of married quarters. On 25th September, 1959, the Árd Cheathrúnach, acting on the recommendation of the Officer Commanding, ordered the soldier to evacuate the quarters on or before 1st January, 1960. The soldier did not evacuate the quarters and is still in occupation of them.
Accordingly, under the regulation mentioned, marriage allowance is not payable in respect of the period subsequent to 1st January, 1960. There is, therefore, no amount "owed" to the wife of the soldier concerned.
Subparagraph 45 (1) of Defence Force Regulations S.3, provides, inter alia, that where a soldier is in unauthorised occupation of married quarters, a charge of 2/3 a day in respect of the use of such quarters, furniture, light and water shall, by way of compensation, be made for every day during which he is in such unauthorised occupation. Pursuant to this provision, a deduction at the rate of 2/3 a day has been made from the pay of the soldier concerned with effect from 2 January, 1960, in lieu of the normal deduction of 5/- a week.
Until such time as the soldier evacuates the married quarters, payment of marriage allowance to his wife cannot be resumed. The soldier continues, of course, to receive his pay and allowances (other than marriage allowance) subject to any authorised forfeitures or deductions.
37.
asked the Minister for Defence whether a circular ref. no. 2CNO/43 was issued on 13th March, 1959 to all occupants of married quarters in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; and, if so, if he will state the nature of the document; if its provisions are still in operation; and, if not, the date of withdrawal and the nature of the circular or other means used to publicise its withdrawal.
The answer to the first portion of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. The circular, the provisions of which are still in operation, reads as follows:—
Complaints.
1. The Officer Commanding has asked me to bring to your notice that he does NOT propose to investigate any complaints from occupants of Married Quarters in this barracks arising from arguments, disputes or differences of opinion between occupants of quarters or their families.
2. With regard to complaints of this nature occupants of Married Quarters are advised to refer them to the Gardaí Authorities or to take appropriate legal action should they consider the circumstances sufficiently grave to warrant such action.
Arising out of the Minister's reply and quotation, will he now explain to the House how it is that although the commanding officer of that barracks issued an order on the 30th March, 1959, to the personnel in married quarters that in future, where disputes take place between the occupants, the Gárda Síochána will deal with any such disputes, the wife of a soldier was told in direct contradiction of that order to get out of married quarters?
This was not a question of interfering in any dispute or argument. It was a question of ending the intolerable position that existed in the married quarters in that barracks.
May I ask the Minister if it is a fact that when a soldier joins the Army his wife and family are now held to be on the same basis? In view of the fact that, since the 1st January, this family has lost approximately £20 in the form of marriage allowance and subsistence for a family of four children under 12 years of age, and, in addition, that the rent of the quarters went up from 5/- to 15/9d. per week without any question of an appeal being allowed or the soldier concerned being allowed to take his case to a higher authority, will the Minister now have the matter investigated with a view to seeing that fair play is given to the married personnel in this barracks and in every other barracks?
I have investigated the matter and I am satisfied that fair play has been given. The officer commanding the barracks is charged with the responsibility of administering it, and as long as I am satisfied that he exercises his authority in a just and reasonable manner I intend to support him in the carrying out of his duty.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
