§ 25. Major NEWMANasked whether it is the intention of the Irish Government to again review the pay, emoluments, and war bonus of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and make the pay and bonus of the force somewhat more approximate to that enjoyed by members of the various county police forces in Great Britain?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Treasury have sanctioned an addition of 2s. 6d. per week to the existing war bonus of the Royal Irish Constabulary, to take effect from 1st December.
§ 26. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is satisfied with the flow of recruits to the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether the losses by enlistment into the Irish Guards at the commencement of the War have been made up, or whether the force is being kept to strength by retaining the services of members who have reached the age limit; and is he aware of cases of head constables of over sixty years who have been asked to continue on the active list, with a consequent block of promotion to the junior ranks and discouragements to recruiting to fill vacancies?
§ Mr. DUKEThe reduction of the numbers of the Royal Irish Constabulary by reason of the enlistment of members of the force in the Irish Guards has not been made up, but recruiting for the force is now proceeding, and excellent recruits are 20 being enrolled. Retirement on pension has been stopped by the operation of Section 2 of the Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915, except on medical certificate or to take up Government appointments, and to that extent the strength of the force is being kept up by retaining the services of men who, in normal tmes, would have retired on pension. It is, however, not correct to say that men are being retained in the force who have become inefficient owing to age. Head constables over sixty years of age have not been asked to continue to serve, but a few men of this rank between the ages of sixty and sixty-five, who are reported to be still active and efficient, are allowed to continue serving. Men over sixty years of age who are reported to be inefficient owing to age are at once called upon to retire.