§ 19. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will inquire into the case of ex-Constable. Robert Kelly, of Portland Row, Dublin, aged sixty-four years, who on a pension of £46 14s. 8d. a year is endeavournig to maintain himself and two delicate daughters; whether he is aware that two, Royal Irish Constabulary ex-constables died recently, one in the North and one in the South Union, Dublin; and will he say why, in the present period of high food prices, the Irish Government refuse to do anything by way of war bonus or increase of pension to mitigate the hardships of those who have faithfully served them?
§ Mr. DUKERobert Kelly, a constabulary pensioner aged sixty-five years, resides at Portland Row, Dublin. He has a pension of £46 16s. per annum, but I have no knowledge of the circumstances of the family. Two constabulary pensioners recently died in workhouse hospitals in Dublin. I am informed that they retired at their own request before earning the full pensions they could have attained. As to the rest of the question, I would refer to the answers I gave to questions by the hon. Members for the College Green Division of Dublin and the Leix Division of Queen's County last Friday.