asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Number 65537, Private John Burke, Army Transport Corps, was discharged from the Army on June 28th 1927, as medically unfit; that at the time of his discharge Private Burke was a patient in the Curragh Military Hospital; that the state of his health was such that it was impossible for him to leave the hospital on discharge; that he died there shortly after his discharge; whether it is the normal practice to discharge men who are dangerously ill; and whether, in view of the fact that, owing to Private Burke's discharge, his mother, who was wholly dependent on him, is destitute, he will consider making some ex gratia payment in this case.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISCHARGED SOLDIER'S DEATH.
The facts are as stated by the Deputy. It is the normal practice to discharge all men who have been found by a medical board to be unfit for further service.
I regret that there are no funds available from which an ex gratia payment might be made to Mrs. Burke.