The MSPC was established on foot of a decision by the Oireachtas to compensate wounded members—and the widows, children, and dependents of deceased members—of Óglaigh na hÉireann. This included the National Army, the Irish Volunteers, and the Irish Citizen Army. Support was provided through the payment of allowances and gratuities.
As the legislation evolved, eligibility expanded to encompass members of other organisations including the Hibernian Rifles, Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Éireann, and select individuals from the Connaught Rangers.
The collection is shaped by two primary strands of legislation:
- Army Pensions Acts (from 1923): Focused on individuals wounded in service and the dependents of those who died.
- Military Service Pensions Acts (1924, 1934, 1949): Applied to surviving veterans who could substantiate claims of active service.
These acts prompted applications from individuals seeking pensions, allowances, or gratuities. Each applicant was evaluated by the Department of Defence, alongside designated boards or advisory committees established by the respective acts. Outcomes depended on whether the claims met the legislative criteria.
To verify applicants' claims of service, assessors and advisory committees collected extensive supporting documentation during their evaluations. These materials include:
- Membership rolls of relevant organisations (Reference Code: RO/).
- Activity reports from military formations and units (Reference Code: A/), offering detailed insights into key operations and events from the period.
- Another significant component of the collection is the distribution of commemorative medals to veterans of the Easter Rising (1916) and the War of Independence. By 31 January 1988, a total of 68,896 medals had been issued.
- The collection also features Department of Defence files related to the creation and management of these compensation and recognition schemes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at their development and implementation.
Additional resource:
Early organisation of the Department of Defence
