asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the allowance under the Army Pensions Act, 1923, awarded to Mrs. Kate Scally, Gallagh, Lanesboro, Longford, mother of the late Lieutenant John Scally, who died on the 21st May, 1921, as the result of wounds, has been granted only from 1st April, 1924, and not from 1st April, 1922, as required by the Act; whether he will state how the specified date of commencement has been arrived at, and whether, seeing that this decision deprives this woman of the sum of £104, he will give instructions for the immediate payment of the two years' arrears due under the Army Pensions Act, 1923.

I regret that I am not at the moment in a position to reply definitely to the Deputy's question. I will communicate with him on the matter at a very early date.