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Uimhir 48 de 1924.
ACHT NA bPINSEAN SEIRBHÍSE MÍLEATA, 1924.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “seirbhís mhileata” seirbhís chogúil in aon chéim, pe'ca mar oifigeach, mar oifigeach nea-choimisiúnta, mar shaighdiúir no mar óglach-é, in aon fhórsa dhíobh so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—“Oglaigh na hÉireann” no an cólucht mileata dá ngairmtí na “Irish Volunteers” no an cólucht mileata dá ngairmtí an “Irish Citizen Army” no an cólucht dá ngairmtí “Fianna Éireann” no an cólucht dá ngairmtí na “Hibernian Rifles” no na “Fórsaí Náisiúnta” no “Fórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann” no aon bhrainse d'aon fhórsa dhíobh san. Chun crícheanna an Achta so áireofar mar sheirbhís mhileata in Oglaigh na hÉireann no sna Irish Volunteers, pe'ca aca é, seirbhís mar bhall d'Ard-Chomhairle na Irish Volunteers no d'Fhuireann Ard-Oifige Oglach na hÉireann no sa Bhrainse Feasa d'aon fhórsa no cólucht mileata dhíobh san, no sa tSeirbhís Feasa a bhí ar siúl fé údarás an Chéad Dháil Éireann no an Dara Dáil Éireann;
cialluíonn agus foluíonn an focal “Fórsaí Náisiúnta” gach fórsa armtha a bhí á choinneáil suas ag an Rialtas Sealadach no ag Rialtas Shaorstáit Éireann;
cialluíonn an focal “Fórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann” na Fórsaí a bhí le bunú do réir Cuid I. den Acht Fórsaí Cosanta (Forálacha Sealadacha), 1923;
ciallóidh an focal “Deimhniú Seirbhíse Mileata” deimhniú a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus a deonfar fén Acht so;
ciallóidh an focal “Pinsean Seirbhíse Mileata” pinsean a deonfar fé sna comhachta a tugtar leis an Acht so;
ciallóidh an focal “Aire” an tAire Cosanta;
ciallóidh an focal “orduithe” orduithe le haon rialacha no rialacháin a déanfar fén Acht so.
Iarratas ag lorg deimhniú seirbhíse mileata.
2.—(1) Laistigh den tréimhse orduithe féadfidh éinne le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so deimhniú seirbhíse mileata d'iarraidh ar an Aire sa bhfuirm orduithe agus, fé réir forálacha an Achta so, féadfidh an tAire é dheona dho.
(2) Déanfidh an tAire gach iarratas den tsórt san ag lorg deimhniú seirbhíse mileata do chur fé bhráid bhórd meastóirí a ceapfar fén Acht so chun gach iarratas den tsórt san d'éisteacht agus sara ndeona sé aon iarratas den tsórt san breithneoidh sé an tuairisc a thabharfidh an bord meastóirí agus, fé réir forálacha an Achta so, deonfa sé no eiteoidh sé deimhniú seirbhíse mileata do réir na tuairisce sin.
(3) Féadfidh an tAire más toil leis féin é diúltú do dheimhniú seirbhíse mileata do thabhairt amach d'aon iarratasóir a daoradh ag cúirt údaráis inniúla i Saorstát Éireann, sarar thug an bord meastóirí an tuairisc, chun príosúntacht d'fhulang, i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre, ar feadh aon téarma ba shia ná trí mhí no chun aon téarma pian-tseirbhíse.
(4) Baineann an tAcht so le gach éinne—
(a) a bhí ag fónamh sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no i bhFórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann aon uair tar éis an 1adh lá d'Iúil, 1922, agus roimh an 1adh lá de Dheire Fomhair, 1923, agus
(b) a thug seirbhís mhileata in Oglaigh na hÉireann no sna Irish Volunteers no san Irish Citizen Army no i bhFianna Éireann no sna Hibernian Rifles i rith na seachtaine dar thosach an 23adh Abrán, 1916, no ar feadh aon tréimhse dá luaidhtear in (e) agus in (f) de chlás 1 den Chéad Sceideal a gabhann leis an Acht so.
Bord meastóirí.
3.—(1) Bunófar bord meastóirí (dá ngairmtear “An bord meastóirí” san Acht so) fén Acht so agus beidh sé có-dhéanta de thriúr ball a cheapfidh an tAire le haontú na hArd-Chomhairle agus 'na mbeidh éinne amháin acu, ar dháta a cheaptha, ina Bhreitheamh de Chúirt Uachtarach, d'Ard-Chúirt, de Chúirt Chuarda, no de Chúirt Dúithche Shaorstáit Éireann no ina abhcóide ag cleachta a ghairme agus seasamh deich mblian ar a luíod aige.
(2) Scrúdóidh an bord meastóirí gach iarratas le n-a lorgtar deimhniú seirbhíse mileata agus a chuirfidh an tAire fé n-a mbráid, agus chuige sin déanfid gach fiosrú, gairmfid ar gach fínné, agus glacfid gach fianaise, fé mhionn no ar aon tslí eile, a chífar dóibh bheith riachtanach no ceart chun tuairisc do thabhairt don Aire ar sheirbhís mhileata an iarratasóra.
(3) I ngach tuairisc ar sheirbhís mhileata aon iarratasóra a bheidh ag lorg deimhniú seirbhíse mileata beidh breith-thortha i dtaobh na nithe seo a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) seirbhís mhileata an iarratasóra san in Oglaigh na hÉireann no sna Irish Volunteers no san Irish Citizen Army no i bhFianna Éireann no sna Hibernian Rifles; agus
(b) seirbhís mhileata an iarratasóra san sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no i bhFórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann; agus
(c) tréimhse seirbhís an iarratasóra san i ngach fórsa no cólucht fé leith díobh san mar adubhradh.
(4) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe a bheidh gach tuairisc a thabharfidh an bord meastóirí ar sheirbhís mhileata aon iarratasóra a bheidh ag lorg deimhniú seirbhíse mileata.
(5) Ar an iarratasóir a bheidh ag lorg deimhniú seirbhíse mileata isea bheidh cruthúnas do thabhairt, agus beidh saor-chead aige pé fianaise do thairisgint is gá chun a chur ar a chumas an cruthúnas san do thabhairt.
(6) Ní bheidh in aon chás dul thar breith-thortha an bhúird mheastóirí fé mar a bheid leagtha amach i dtuairisc an bhúird agus beid ceangailte ar an iarratasóir, ach féadfidh an bord aon uair aon cheann no gach ceann dá mbreith-thortha d'ath-oscailt má iarrann an tAire é ar an scór go bhfuil fianaise ar fáil ná raibh ar fáil sarar dhineadar an tuairisc agus, ar éisteacht na fianaise breise sin, féadfidh an bord meastóirí a dtuairisc do leasú agus aon bhreith-thortha inti d'atharú no do chur ar nea-mbrí fé mar a chífar dóibh a bheith ceart agus an fhianaise bhreise sin acu.
Deona pinsin.
4.—(1) Le haontú ón Aire Airgid agus fé réir forálacha an Achta so, féadfidh an tAire pinsean seirbhíse mileata do dheona d'éinne dar dheoin an tAire deimhniú seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so, pinsean a thosnóidh ón gcéad lá de Dheire Fomhair, 1924, no o lá a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pe'ca lá aca san is déanaí, ach ní bhfuighidh éinne aon phinsean seirbhíse mileata den tsórt san mara mbeidh airgead vótálta ag an Oireachtas chun an pinsean seirbhíse mileata san d'íoc.
(2) Chun méid an phinsin seirbhíse míleata a gheobhaidh aon tsealbhóir deimhniú seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so d'áireamh, áireofar seirbhís mhileata an duine sin, mar a fuair an bord meastóirí í bheith agus mar a cuireadh síos ina dheimhniú seirbhíse mileata í, mar chó-ionannas leis na tréimhsí fé seach de bhlianta seirbhíse mileata a luaidhtear fé seach sa dara colún den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, agus áireofar ar an gcuma atá leagtha amach sa Chéad Sceideal san agus sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so méid iomlán na mblian seirbhíse mileata 'na ndeonfar aon phinsean den tsórt san ar a son.
(3) Beidh gach pinsean seirbhíse mileata do réir na céime a bhí ag an iarratasóir agus é á scur o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann no do réir na céime a bhí aige an 1adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1924, pe'ca céim aca is aoirde, agus aireofar é i ngach cás do réir na rialacha atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
Cosc ar phinsin do shanna, etc.
5.—(1) Gach sanna a déanfar agus gach muirear a cuirfar ar aon phinsean seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so, agus gach có-aontú chun é shanna no é chur fé mhuirear, beid gan brí gan éifeacht ach amháin sa mhéid go mbeidh an céanna údaruithe le hAcht a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire.
(2) Ní féadfar aon phinsean seirbhíse mileata a deonfar fén Acht so do thógaint i bhfeidhmiúchán ná d'aistriú ar aon tslí eile le dlí chun aon fhiacha no fiachaisí ar an té dar deonadh an pinsean san fén Acht so d'íoc.
(3) Ní chuirfidh éinní san alt so cosc le haon airgead a bheidh ag an Aire ar an duine le n-a bhfuil pinsean iníoctha fén Acht so do bhaint as an bpinsean san.
Geallbhruide pinsean.
6.—(1) Má dhineann cúirt údaráis inniúla i Saorstát Éireann éinne dar deonadh pinsean seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so do chiontú in aon choir no cionta le linn an pinsean san do bheith aige agus go ndéanfidh an chúirt sin, mar gheall ar an gcoir no ar an gcionta san, é dhaora chun príosúntachta i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre ar feadh aon téarma is sia ná trí mhí, no chun pian-tseirbhíse ar feadh téarma ar bith, beidh an pinsean a deonadh amhlaidh don duine sin i ngeallbhruid o dháta an chiontuithe sin.
(2) Má cuirtar aon chiontú agus daora den tsórt san roimhráite ar nea-mbrí no ar neamh-ní, tuigfar an gheallbhruid ina mheidh pinsean de dheascaibh an chiontuithe agus an daortha san do bheith ar nea-mbrí agus ar neamh-ní leis, agus leis sin beidh an pinsean seirbhíse mileata in éifeacht arís agus é iníoctha maraon le gach riaráiste air a chruinnigh o dháta an chiontuithe sin.
Ciontaí.
7.—(1) Má dhineann éinne, d'fhonn deona no íoc pinsin d'fháil do féin no d'éinne eile fén Acht so, aon fhaisnéis, iarratas no ráiteas scríbhte eile do dhéanamh, do shighniú, no d'úsáid agus a fhios aige an céanna bheith bréagach, beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair féadfar é chur fé fhíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint ar fhichid no fé phríosúntacht ar feadh tréimhse nách sia ná sé mhí no, más maith leis an gcúirt é, fén bhfíneáil agus fén bpríosúntacht san le chéile.
(2) Má bhíonn éinne, a ciontófar amhlaidh mar adubhradh, ag fáil pinsin de bharr aon fhaisnéise, iarratais, no ráitis scríbhte eile a bhí bréagach beidh an pinsean san i ngeallbhruid air o dháta an chiontuithe sin.
(3) Chun críche imeachta mar gheall ar aon chionta dá luaidhtear san alt so, tuigfar gur dineadh an cionta san áit in ar dineadh é no san áit ina ráineoidh don chiontathóir bheith.
Cosc ar phinsin dúbalta.
8.—(1) Einne le n-a bhfuil pinsean seirbhíse mileata iníoctha fén Acht so, má bhíonn sé, aon uair le linn an pinsean san do bheith aige, ag fáil aon luach saothair, pinsin, no liúntais is iníoctha amach as airgead puiblí, pe'ca ag an Oireachtas no amach as an bPrímh-Chiste a soláthruíodh é no tríd an ráta dealbhais no tré aon ráta eile a bhuail údarás áitiúil, déanfar an pinsean seirbhíse mileata is iníoctha leis an duine sin fén Acht so do chur ar fionnraí i méid a háireofar do réir na bhforálacha atá sa Triú Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so agus san faid a bheidh sé ag fáil an luach saothair, an phinsin, no an liúntais sin mar adubhradh.
(2) Ní bheidh duine i dteideal an t-aon tréimhse amháin aimsire d'áireamh i gcóir críche pinsean seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so agus i gcóir críche aois-liúntais fé sna hAchtanna Aois-liúntais, 1834 go 1923, ach féadfidh aon duine den tsórt san, más mian leis é, a phinsean seirbhíse mileata fén Acht so do thabhairt suas agus, i gcóir an aois-liúntais sin agus ar an slí a luaidhtear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, áireamh do dhéanamh ar aon tréimhse aimsire d'fhéadfadh sé áireamh chun an dá chrích roimhráite mara mbeadh an t-alt so.
Rialacháin.
9.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire rialacháin do dhéanamh fén Acht so chun gach ní no éinní dhíobh so a leanas d'ordú, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an fhuirm ina ndéanfar agus an t-am gur laistigh de a déanfar deimhniú seirbhíse mileata d'iarraidh air;
(b) an nós-imeachta a leanfar nuair a bheidh an t-iarratas curtha fé bhráid an bhúird mheastóirí;
(c) an fhuirm a bheidh ar gach tuairisc ón mbord meastóirí agus an chuma ina soláthrófar don Aire í;
(d) éinní no aon rud eile is gá chun an tAcht so do chur in éifeacht.
(2) Na rialacháin uile a dhéanfidh an tAire fén Acht so, leagfar iad fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas láithreach tar éis a ndéanta, agus má dhineann ceachtar den dá Thigh, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuidhfidh an Tigh sin tar éis leaga na rialachán san fé n-a bhráid rún do rith chun na rialacháin sin do chur ar nea-mbrí, beidh na rialacháin sin ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní a dineadh fé sna rialacháin sin roimhe sin.
Gearr-theideal.
10.—Féadfar Acht na bPinsean Seirbhíse Mileata, 1924, do ghairm den Acht so.
CEAD SCEIDEAL.
Aireamh Seirbhise Mileata.
1. Mar leanas a háireofar an méid blian seirbhíse mileata a théigheann chun pinsean d'fháil fén Acht so:—
Colún 1. | Colún 2. |
(a) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1916, go 31adh Márta, 1917, ach cuid den tseirbhís sin do bheith ina seirbhís chogúil a tugadh sa tseachtain dar thosach 23adh Abrán, 1916 ... ... | 5 bliana. |
(b) ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1917, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1918 ... ... | ½ bhliain. |
(c) ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1918, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1919 ... ... | ½ bhliain. |
(d) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1919, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1920 ... ... | bliain. |
(e) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1920, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1921 ... ... | 2 bhliain. |
(f) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Abrán, 1921, go dtí 11adh Iúl, 1921 ... ... | bliain. |
(g) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 12adh Iúl, 1921, go dtí 30adh Meitheamh, 1922 ... | bliain. |
(h) Ar son seirbhíse leanúnaí o 1adh Iúl, 1922, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1923 ... ... | 2 bhliain. |
(i) Ar son seirbhíse leanúuaí o 1adh Abrán, 1923, go dtí 30adh Meán Fhomhair, 1923 ... ... ... ... ... | bliain. |
2. Ar son seirbhíse a tugadh ar feadh aon choda briste d'aon tréimhse dá luaidhtear i gcolún 1 de mhír 1 den Sceideal so cuirfar san áireamh cion có-réir den chó-ionannas iomlán i gcóir na tréimhse sin mar atá sé leagtha amach i gcolún 2 den mhír sin.
3. Maidir leis an mbliain o 1adh Abrán, 1916, go dtí 31adh Márta, 1917, tuigfar gur ceithre bliana is có-ionannas le seirbhís chogúil a tugadh sa tseachtain dar thosach 23adh Abrán, 1916, agus tuigfar gur bliain is có-ionnanas leis an gcuid eile den bhliain sin.
4. Tuigfar nách bearna i leanúnachas seirbhíse na nithe seo a leanas:—
(a) gan bheith ar diúité de dheascaibh gabhála, príosúntachta, coinneála, no ionnarba fén Defence of the Realm Act, 1914, fén Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, 1920, no fé aon rialacháin a dineadh fútha san;
(b) gan bheith ar diúité de dheascaibh gabhála, príosúntachta, no pian-tseirbhíse mar gheall ar cheannairc, ar thréasan no ar fheleontacht tréasain roimh 11adh Iúl, 1921;
(c) gan bheith ar diúité de dheascaibh dul i mbun dualgaisí ar iarratas no ar son Aireacht Dháil Éireann no ar son an Rialtais Shealadaigh o 21adh Eanair, 1919, go dtí 1adh Iúl, 1922, dualgaisí nár bhfoláir do dhuine, chun aire thabhairt dóibh, gan bheith ar diúité.
DARA SCEIDEAL.
Aireamh Meid an Phinsin.
Le gach iarratasóir gur tugadh deimhniú seirbhíse mileata amach in thaobh beidh iníoctha—
(a) i gcás iarratasóra a bhí ag fónamh mar shaighdiúir no mar oifigeach nea-choimisiúnta ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pinsean seirbhíse mileata a háireofar do réir cúig púint per annum in aghaidh gach bliana no cuid de bhliain seirbhíse mileata mar a háireofar san chun crícheanna an Achta so;
(b) i gcás iarratasóra a bhí ag fónamh i gcéim choimisiúnta mar dhara leftenant, mar chéad leftenant, no mar chaptaen ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pinsean seirbhíse mileata a háireofar do réir deich bpúint per annum in aghaidh gach bliana no cuid de bhliain seirbhíse mileata mar a háireofar san chun crícheanna an Achta so;
(c) i gcás iarratasóra a bhí ag fónamh mar cheannphort no mar mhaor ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pinsean seirbhíse mileata a háireofar do réir cúig púint déag per annum in aghaidh gach bliana no cuid de bhliain seirbhíse mileata mar a háireofar san chun crícheanna an Achta so;
(d) i gcás iarratasóra a bhí ag fónamh mar chornal no mar mhaor-ghenerál ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pinsean seirbhíse mileata a háireofar do réir fiche púnt per annum in aghaidh gach bliana no cuid de bhliain seirbhíse mileata mar a háireofar san chun crícheanna an Achta so;
(e) i gcás iarratasóra a bhí ag fónamh i gcéim ab aoirde ná céim maor-gheneráil ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, pinsean seirbhíse mileata a háireofar do réir cúig púint ar fhichid per annum in aghaidh gach bliana no cuid de bhliain seirbhíse mileata mar a háireofar san chun crícheanna an Achta so.
Einne ba bhall d'Ard-Chomhairle na Irish Volunteers no d'Fhuireann Ard-Oifige Oglach na hÉireann aon uair roimh an 11adh Iúl, 1921, no ba bhall de Chomhairle an Airm no den Chomhairle Cosanta aon uair tar éis an 1adh Iúl, 1922, agus roimh an 1adh lá de Dheire Fomhair, 1923, tuigfar, chun crícheanna an Sceidil seo, go raibh sé ag fónamh i gcéim ab aoirde ná céim Maor-Gheneráil ar dháta a scurtha o sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no o Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann.
Chun críche an Sceidil seo tuigfar go raibh ag oifigeach de Bhrainse na Seirbhísí Leighis de sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta, no dá shamhail sin de Bhrainse d'Fhórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann, ceann de sna céimeanna sna fórsaí sin a luaidhtear sa bhfo-mhír den Sceideal so díreach i ndiaidh no fo-mhíre ina luaidhtear an chéim a bhí aige.
Má b'aoirde an chéim a bhí ag iarratasóir ar an 1adh lá d'Fheabra, 1924, sna Fórsaí Náisiúnta no i bhFórsaí Cosanta Shaorstáit Éireann ná an chéim a bhí aige i gceachtar de sna Fórsaí sin ar dháta a scurtha uatha, déanfar ina chás san, chun crícheanna an Sceidil seo, an chéim a bhí aige mar sin ar an 1adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1924, do chur in ionad na céime a bhí aige ar dháta a scurtha.
TRIU SCEIDEAL.
Aireamh an Mheide den Phinsean a cuirfar ar Fionnraoi.
1. Is mar leanas a bheidh an méid den phinsean 'na gcuirfar a íoc ar fionnraoi fé alt 8 den Acht so, sé sin le rá:—
I gcás méid bliantúil an luach saothair, an phinsin, no an liúntais is iníoctha amach as airgead puiblí do bheith—
A.—Fé bhun £100 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 5% |
B.—Thar £100 gan dul thar £150 | ... | ... | ... | 10% | ||
C.—Thar £150 gan dul thar £200 | ... | ... | ... | 20% | ||
D.—Thar £200 gan dul thar £250 | ... | ... | ... | 30% | ||
E.—Thar £250 gan dul thar £300 | ... | ... | ... | 40% | ||
F.—Thar £300 gan dul thar £350 | ... | ... | ... | 50% | ||
G.—Thar £350 gan dul thar £400 | ... | ... | ... | 60% | ||
H.—Thar £400 gan dul thar £450 | ... | ... | ... | 70% | ||
I.—Thar £450 gan dul thar £500 | ... | ... | ... | 80% | ||
J.—Thar £500 gan dul thar £550 | ... | ... | ... | 90% | ||
K.—Thar £550 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 100% |
2. I gcás iomlán na méideanna is iníoctha le héinne amach as airgead puiblí mar adubhradh agus an méid is iníoctha leis an duine sin fén Acht laistigh de sna teoranta a luaidhtear ag 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, no 1K, do bheith níos lú, fé théarmaí clás 1 den Sceideal so, ná an méid a gheobhadh an duine sin i gcás an méid is iníoctha leis amach as airgead puiblí mar adubhradh do bheith chó mór le maximum na teorann roimh-theachta, ansan agus i ngach cás den tsórt san déanfar an méid dá phinsean seirbhíse mileata a cuirfar ar fionnraoi do luíodú i dtreo ná beidh iomlán an mhéide roimhráite agus a phinsin níos lú ná an t-iomlán a gheobhadh sé dá mbeadh an méid roimhráite chó mór le maximum na teorann roimh-theachta.
Number 48 of 1924.
MILITARY SERVICE PENSIONS ACT, 1924.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Calculation of Military Service.
Calculation of Amount of Pension.
Calculation of Suspension of Pension.
Number 48 of 1924.
MILITARY SERVICE PENSIONS ACT, 1924.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “military service” means active service in any rank, whether as an officer, non-commissioned officer, private or volunteer in any of the following forces, that is to say—“Oglaigh na hEireann” or the military body known as the “Irish Volunteers” or the military body known as the “Irish Citizen Army” or the body known as “Fianna Eireann” or the body known as the “Hibernian Rifles” or the “National Forces” or the “Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann” or any branch of any of those forces. For the purposes of this Act service as a member of the Irish Volunteer Executive or of the Headquarters Staff of Oglaigh na hEireann or in the Intelligence Branch of any of the said military forces or bodies, or in the Intelligence Service carried on under the authority of the First Dáil Eireann or of the Second Dáil Eireann, shall be deemed to be military service in Oglaigh na hEireann or in the Irish Volunteers, as the case may be;
the expression “National Forces” means and includes all armed forces maintained by the Provisional Government or the Government of Saorstát Eireann;
the expression “Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann” means the Forces to be established pursuant to Part I. of the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923;
the expression “Certificate of Military Service” shall mean a certificate in the prescribed form granted under this Act;
the expression “Military Service Pension” shall mean a pension granted under the powers contained in this Act;
the word “Minister” shall mean the Minister for Defence;
the word “prescribed” shall mean prescribed by any rules or regulations made under this Act.
Application for certificate of military service.
2.—(1) Any person to whom this Act applies may within the prescribed period apply in the prescribed form to the Minister, and the Minister may grant to him, subject to the provisions of this Act, a certificate of military service.
(2) The Minister shall refer every such application for a certificate of military service to a board of assessors appointed under this Act to hear all such applications and shall before granting any such certificate take into consideration the report made by the board of assessors and, subject to the provisions of this Act, shall grant or refuse a certificate of military service in accordance with such report.
(3) The Minister may in his absolute discretion refuse to issue a certificate of military service to any applicant who shall have, prior to the making of the report by the board of assessors, been sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction in Saorstát Eireann to suffer imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term exceeding three months or any term of penal servitude.
(4) This Act applies to every person who—
(a) at any time subsequent to the 1st day of July, 1922, and prior to the 1st day of October, 1923, was serving in the National Forces or the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, and
(b) has rendered military service in Oglaigh na hEireann or in the Irish Volunteers or in the Irish Citizen Army or in Fianna Eireann or in the Hibernian Rifles during the week commencing the 23rd April, 1916, or throughout either of the periods specified in (e) and (f) of clause 1 of the First Schedule to this Act.
Board of assessors.
3.—(1) A board of assessors (in this Act referred to as “the board of assessors”) shall be constituted under this Act and shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the Minister with the approval of the Executive Council and one of whom shall be a person who at the date of his appointment is a Judge of the Supreme Court, High Court, Circuit Court, or District Court of Saorstát Eireann or is a practising barrister of not less than ten years standing.
(2) The board of assessors shall examine every application for a certificate of military service referred to them by the Minister, and they shall for that purpose make all such enquiries, summon all such witnesses, and take all such evidence, whether on oath or otherwise, as may appear to them necessary or proper for the purpose of making a report to the Minister as to the military service of the applicant.
(3) Every report as to military service of any applicant for a certificate of military service shall contain findings upon the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the military service of such applicant in Oglaigh na hEireann or in the Irish Volunteers or in the Irish Citizen Army or in Fianna Eireann or in the Hibernian Rifles; and
(b) the military service of such applicant in the National Forces or the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann; and
(c) the period of the service of such applicant in each such force or body as aforesaid.
(4) Every report made by the board of assessors as to the military service of any applicant for a certificate of military service shall be in the prescribed form.
(5) The onus of proof shall rest on the applicant for a certificate of military service, and he shall be at liberty to offer such evidence as may be necessary to enable him to discharge such onus.
(6) The findings of the board of assessors set out in their report shall in all cases be final and conclusive and binding upon the applicant, provided however that the board may at any time re-open any or all of their findings at the request of the Minister on the ground that evidence not available prior to the making of their report had since become available, and upon hearing such additional evidence the board of assessors may amend their report and alter or discharge any findings therein as may seem to them just having regard to such further evidence.
Grant of of pensions.
4.—(1) The Minister may with the sanction of the Minister for Finance and subject to the provisions of this Act grant to any person to whom the Minister shall have granted a certificate of military service under this Act a military service pension commencing as from the first day of October, 1924, or the day of his discharge from the National Forces or the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann whichever of those days shall be the later, provided however that no person shall receive any such military service pension unless money for the payment of such military service pension shall have been voted by the Oireachtas.
(2) For the purpose of calculating the amount of military service pension which any holder of a certificate of military service under this Act shall receive the military service of such person as found by the board of assessors and set out in his certificate of military service shall be reckoned as the equivalent of the respective periods of years of military service respectivly specified in the second column of the First Schedule to this Act, and the total number of years of military service in respect of which any such pension shall be granted shall be calculated in the manner set forth in the said First Schedule and the Second Schedule to this Act.
(3) Every military service pension shall be based upon the rank of the applicant at the time of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann or the rank held by him on the 1st day of February, 1924, whichever of those ranks shall be the higher and shall be calculated in each case according to the rules set out in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Prohibition of assignment, etc., of pensions.
5.—(1) Every assignment of and every charge on and every agreement to assign or charge any military service pension under this Act shall, except so far as the same is authorised by an Act for the time being in force, be null and void.
(2) No military service pension granted under this Act shall be capable of being taken in execution or otherwise alienated by process of law for the payment of any debts or liabilities of the person to whom such pension is granted under this Act.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent the deduction from any pension payable under this Act of any monies which may be due or owing to the Minister by the person to whom such pension is payable.
Forfeiture of pensions.
6.—(1) If any person to whom a military service pension has been granted under this Act is, during the continuance of such pension, convicted of any crime or offence by a court of competent jurisdiction in Saorstát Eireann and is sentenced by that court for that crime or offence to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term exceeding three months, or to penal servitude for any term, the pension so granted to such person shall be forfeited as from the date of such conviction.
(2) If any such conviction and sentence as aforesaid is quashed or annulled, the forfeiture of a pension consequent on such conviction and sentence shall be deemed to have been quashed and annulled also, and the military service pension shall be thereupon revived and payable together with all arrears thereof accruing since the date of such conviction.
Offences.
7.—(1) If any person with a view to obtaining either for himself or any other person a grant or payment of a pension under this Act makes, signs, or uses any declaration, application or other written statement knowing the same to be false, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or at the discretion of the court to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) If any person so convicted as aforesaid is in receipt of a pension obtained by reason of such false declaration, application, or other written statement he shall forfeit such pension as from the date of such conviction.
(3) For the purpose of proceedings in respect of any such offence as is mentioned in this section, the offence shall be deemed to have been committed either at the place where it was actually committed or at the place where the offender may happen to be.
Prohibition of double pensions.
8.—(1) If any person to whom a military service pension is payable under this Act shall at any time during the continuance of such pension be in receipt of any remuneration, pension, or allowance payable out of public moneys, whether provided by the Oireachtas or out of the Central Fund or by means of the poor rate or any other rate imposed by a local authority, the military service pension payable to such person under this Act shall be suspended to an extent calculated according to the provisions contained in the Third Schedule to this Act while he is in receipt of such remuneration, pension, or allowance as aforesaid.
(2) A person shall not be entitled to reckon the same period of time both for the purpose of a military service pension under this Act and also for the purpose of a superannuation allowance under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1923, but any such person may if he so desires surrender his military service pension under this Act and reckon for the purpose of such superannuation allowance and in the manner specified in the First Schedule to this Act any period of time which but for this section he could have reckoned for both the purposes aforesaid.
Regulations.
9.—(1) The Minister may make regulations under this Act prescribing all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the form and time in and within which application shall be made to him for a certificate of military service;
(b) the procedure on reference of such application to the board of assessors;
(c) the form of and the manner in which every report of the board of assessors shall be furnished to the Minister;
(d) any other matter or thing necessary for the purpose of carrying this Act into effect.
(2) All regulations made by the Minister under this Act shall, immediately upon the same being made, be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and if either House shall within twenty-one days on which such House has sat next after such regulations were laid before it, pass a resolution annulling such regulations, such regulations shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such regulations.
Short title.
10.—This Act may be cited as the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Calculation of Military Service.
1. The number of years of military service counting towards pension under this Act shall be computed as follows:—
Col. 1. | Col. 2. |
(a) For continuous service from 1st April, 1916, to 31st March, 1917, provided that such service includes active service in the week commencing 23rd April, 1916 | 5 years. |
(b) For continuous service from 1st April, 1917, to 31st March, 1918 | ½ year. |
(c) For continuous service from 1st April, 1918, to 31st March, 1919 | ½ year. |
(d) For continuous service from 1st April, 1919, to 31st March, 1920 | 1 year. |
(e) For continuous service from 1st April, 1920, to 31st March, 1921 | 2 years. |
(f) For continuous service from 1st April, 1921, to 11th July, 1921 | 1 year. |
(g) For continuous service from 12th July, 1921, to 30th June, 1922 | 1 year. |
(h) For continuous service from 1st July, 1922, to 31st March, 1923 | 2 years. |
(i) For continuous service from 1st April, 1923, to 30th September, 1923 | 1 year. |
2. For service rendered during any broken part of any period mentioned in column 1 of paragraph 1 of this Schedule there shall be added a corresponding proportion of the total equivalent for that period as set out in column 2 of the said paragraph.
3. In regard to the year 1st April, 1916, to 31st March, 1917, the equivalent of active service in the week commencing 23rd April, 1916, shall be deemed to be four years, and the equivalent for the remainder of that year shall be deemed to be one year.
4. The following circumstances shall not be deemed to constitute a breach in the continuity of service:—
(a) absence from duty following arrest, imprisonment, internment, or deportation under the Defence of the Realm Act, 1914, the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, 1920, or any regulations made thereunder;
(b) absence from duty following arrest, imprisonment or penal servitude in respect of sedition, treason or treason felony prior to 11th July, 1921;
(c) absence from duty by reason of duties necessitating such absence undertaken at the instance or on behalf of the Cabinet of Dáil Eireann or on behalf of the Provisional Government from 21st January, 1919, to 1st July, 1922.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Calculation of Amount of Pension.
There shall be payable to every applicant in respect of whom a certificate of military service has been issued—
(a) in the case of an applicant who, at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, was serving as a private or non-commissioned officer, a military service pension calculated at the rate of five pounds per annum in respect of each year or part of a year of military service as calculated for the purposes of this Act;
(b) in the case of an applicant who, at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, was serving in a commissioned rank as second lieutenant, first lieutenant, or captain, a military service pension calculated at the rate of ten pounds per annum in respect of each year or part of a year of military service as calculated for the purposes of this Act;
(c) in the case of an applicant who, at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, was serving as a commandant or major, a military service pension calculated at the rate of fifteen pounds per annum in respect of each year or part of a year of military service as calculated for the purposes of this Act;
(d) in the case of an applicant who, at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, was serving as a colonel or major-general, a military service pension calculated at the rate of twenty pounds per annum in respect of each year or part of a year of military service as calculated for the purposes of this Act;
(e) in the case of an applicant who, at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or from the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann, was serving in a rank higher than that of major-general, a military service pension calculated at the rate of twenty-five pounds per annum in respect of each year or part of a year of military service as calculated for the purposes of this Act.
For the purpose of this Schedule a person who was a member of the Irish Volunteer Executive or of the Headquarters Staff of Oglaigh na hEireann at any time prior to the 11th July, 1921, or who was a member of the Army Council or of the Defence Council at any time subsequent to the 1st July, 1922, and prior to the 1st October, 1923, shall be deemed to have been serving at the date of his discharge from the National Forces or the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann in a rank higher than that of Major-General.
For the purpose of this Schedule an officer of the Medical Services Branch of the National Forces or of the like Branch of the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann shall be deemed to have held one of the ranks in those forces mentioned in the sub-paragraph of this Schedule immediately succeeding the sub-paragraph in which the rank actually held by him is mentioned.
Where an applicant held on the 1st day of February, 1924, a rank in the National Forces or the Defence Forces of Saorstát Eireann higher than the rank held by him in either of those Forces at the date of his discharge therefrom, the rank so held by him on the 1st day of February, 1924, shall for the purposes of this Schedule be substituted in his case for the rank held by him at the date of his discharge.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
Calculation of Suspension of Pensions.
1. The extent to which payment of a pension shall be suspended under section 8 of this Act shall be as follows, that is to say:—
Where the annual amount of the remuneration, pension, or allowance payable out of public moneys is—
A.—Less than £100 | 5% |
B.—Over £100 and not exceeding £150 | 10% |
C.—Over £150 and not exceeding £200 | 20% |
D.—Over £200 and not exceeding £250 | 30% |
E.—Over £250 and not exceeding £300 | 40% |
F.—Over £300 and not exceeding £350 | 50% |
G.—Over £350 and not exceeding £400 | 60% |
H.—Over £400 and not exceeding £450 | 70% |
I.—Over £450 and not exceeding £500 | 80% |
J.—Over £500 and not exceeding £550 | 90% |
K.—Over £550 | 100% |
2. Where the total of the amounts payable to any person out of public moneys as aforesaid and the amount payable to such person under this Act within the limits specified at 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, or 1K would under the terms of clause 1 of this Schedule be less than the amount which such person would receive if the amount payable to him out of public moneys as aforesaid was at the maximum of the limit immediately preceding, then and in every such case the extent of the suspension of his military service pension shall be reduced so that the total of the amount aforesaid and of his pension shall not be less than that which he would receive if the amount aforesaid was at the maximum of the limit immediately preceding.