asked the Minister for Defence whether the application for a military service pension by Mr. Patrick McGrath, Rathmolyon, Enfield, Co. Meath, has yet been considered, and if he will state with what result.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MILITARY SERVICE PENSIONS APPLICATIONS.
Mr. McGrath's application has been referred to the Board of Assessors for the purpose of determining his service for pension purposes. The Board have not yet reported to me on his case.
asked the Minister for Defence whether the application of Mr. James Carey, Ratoath, Co. Meath (reference No. S.P./6593) for a military service pension has been considered, and with what result.
Mr. Carey's application has been referred to the Board of Assessors for the purpose of determining his service for pension purposes. The Board have not yet reported to me on his case.
asked the Minister for Defence whether a military service pension has been awarded to Mr. Joseph Martin, Martinstown, Athboy, Co. Meath, and, if not, whether he will state the reasons for the rejection of his claim.
A military service pension has not been awarded to Mr. Joseph Martin for the reason that he did not establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Assessors that he had given the minimum amount of military service required by sub-section (4) of section 2 of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924. The Board, in fact, did not find that he rendered any active service in the period to which the Act applies. He was notified accordingly on the 29th March last.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that William Molloy, Clogherinkoe, Moyvalley, Co. Kildare, was an active serving member of the Irish Volunteers from the 1st April, 1920, until he joined the National Army, on the 20th February, 1922; that he was discharged as medically unfit, stated to be due to his Army service, on the 24th December, 1923; whether his service has been verified by the officers under whom he served, and if he will state the reasons why a military service pension was not awarded to Mr. Molloy.
I am not aware that Mr. Molloy was an active serving member of the Irish Volunteers from the 1st April, 1920, until he joined the National Army, but am aware that he was discharged from the latter force "medically unfit" on the 24th December, 1923. The investigation and the determination of his claim to service for pension purposes are, under Section 3 of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, exclusively matters for the Board of Assessors. Replies to inquiries (if any) addressed by the Board to officers under whom Mr. Molloy served are confidential, and cannot properly be disclosed.
A military service pension has not been awarded to Mr. Molloy, as he has not established to the satisfaction of the Board that he rendered the minimum amount of military service required by sub-section (4) of section 2 of the Act. Mr. Molloy has submitted particulars of service purporting to be additional evidence in support of his claim. On this evidence, I have requested the Board of Assessors to reopen their findings in the case.