asked the Minister for Defence whether an application for compensation under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923 and 1927, was received from Mrs. Neilan, Coolarty, County Longford, in respect of her son Michael, who was injured by a bomb explosion, and if so, whether a decision has been reached in this case; and further, whether it is intended to make provision by way of vocational training for this man to enable him to earn a living.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. Oral Answers. - ARMY PENSION APPLICATION (LONGFORD).
No application on the prescribed form under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923-1927, has been received from Mrs. Neilan in respect of injuries sustained by her son Michael. A form was issued to her to enable her to make a claim, but her solicitor stated that the form was not applicable to the case. As Michael Neilan was only seven years old when he was injured, and, therefore, not a member of the Irish Volunteers, his case does not come within the scope of the Army Pensions Acts. No payment can, therefore, be made, and the provision of vocational training does not apply.
As this is a peculiar sort of case, will the Minister see his way to do something for the relief of this poor boy?
I have no statutory powers to do anything under these Acts. As far as I can make out from the case, a claim might have been put in before the Personal Injuries Compensation Committee, but that Committee ceased to exist some years ago.