asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that on March 6th, 1923, Private Joseph O'Brien, No. 5096, had both his legs blown off and his sight badly injured by the discharge of a trigger-mine at Knocknagoshel Wood, Castleisland, Co. Kerry; that this man was discharged from hospital on May 6th, 1924, and sent home to his wife, who resides at 35 St. Mary's road, North Wall, where he is confined to bed and cannot see; that he is not in receipt of any allowance or pension; that his wife has three children to support, and if in view of this he will see that an immediate payment is made in order to enable her to provide food for her children and proper medical treatment for her husband.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WOUNDED SOLDIER'S DEPENDENTS.
The facts are as stated. A cheque for £10 has been sent to Mr. O'Brien, for whom a pension is being assessed forthwith.
May I ask the Minister, whether, having regard to the fact that there are a number of similar cases where pay has been stopped, and no pension paid, will he take steps to see that there will be no break between the date of the issue of a pension and the stoppage of the allowance, and so avoid unnecessary hardship?
I am afraid it is impossible to answer that. The Deputy knows that delays in these cases are unavoidable, and that every effort is used to expedite the settlement of these cases.
Will the Minister inquire into the methods adopted by the British? They succeeded in most cases in eliminating delay.
We have succeeded in most cases, too.