The records created under the various Army Pensions Acts by the Department of Defence have remained under its custodianship since their inception. Initially housed at Griffith Barracks in Dublin, these files were subsequently relocated to Coláiste Caoimhín in Glasnevin, and later to the Finance Branch of the Department in Renmore, Galway. In 1989, non-current records were transferred to the Military Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, to ensure secure storage and facilitate retrieval.
Records generated by the Board of Assessors under the MSP Act of 1924 were transferred from Portobello Barracks to the Department of the President of the Executive Council (now the Department of the Taoiseach) on 30 March 1928. However, the Department of Defence retained the files of 7,610 applicants whose claims had been unsuccessful.
Following the enactment of the MSP 1934, the Office of the Referee and the Advisory Committee requested the return of earlier files from the Department of the Taoiseach. These records were subsequently housed by the Referee’s Office (initially at Griffith Barracks and later at Coláiste Caoimhín) where new file series were developed, including Nominal Rolls, Activities Files, and a range of administrative and applicant-specific records.
Files of successful applicants under the 1934 Act were reclassified and utilised by the Finance Branch as payment files. Accompanying documentation such as ledgers and index cards provided essential administrative control and accountability. By 1957, when the Office of the Referee and Advisory Committee concluded its work, all associated records from the period 1924–1949 had been consolidated under the Finance Branch.
As part of the 1989 decentralisation initiative, the Finance Branch relocated to Renmore, Galway. This move prompted a comprehensive review of archival holdings at Coláiste Caoimhín. Non-current records relating to the revolutionary period (1916–1923) were transferred to the Military Archives, while files concerning living applicants and associated administrative documents were moved to Galway.
In 2008, all MSPC files held by the Military Archives were formally transferred to the MSP Project. Following a detailed survey, relevant materials remaining in Galway were also reintegrated into the MSPC.
Despite significant preservation challenges, arising from substandard storage conditions, fragile materials, and historical mishandling, the overall survival rate of the collection is notably high, providing a substantial and invaluable historical resource.
