asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that Mr. Thomas Richardson, 8 St. Joseph Street, Dublin, has been informed that his claim for compensation in respect of wounds received in 1922 cannot be entertained; if he is aware that this man received gunshot wounds in the knee and was for two months in the Mater Hospital and six months an outdoor patient, and is at present lame as a result of the wounds, and if he will see that this case is sympathetically reconsidered.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - DUBLIN MAN'S WOUNDS.
The application of the person named by the Deputy was disallowed after full investigation by the Compensation (Personal Injuries) Committee, who came to the conclusion that there was no loss of earning capacity as a result of the injuries, and that no serious hardship was suffered by the applicant. No medical expenses were incurred. I am satisfied that all the facts affecting the case were taken into account and I do not consider that I would be justified in taking the course suggested by the Deputy.
Mr. BYRNE
May I ask whether two months in hospital does not mean a serious loss to any man who was shot in the streets of Dublin?
He was unemployed prior to the date of the injury, and he was in receipt of sickness benefit of 15/- a week for six months. After that he served in the National Army from February, 1923, to November, 1923, when he was paid 24/6 a week.
Mr. BYRNE
Am I to understand the Government is taking advantage of a man being unemployed to deprive him of compensation for injuries received?
No, sir; but where there was no loss there will be no compensation.