asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that ex-Private James Mack (No. 7725), First Battalion, Renmore Barracks, Galway, was discharged on the 19th October, 1928, suffering from tuberculosis after five years' service, and has been in Peamount Sanatorium since December 19th, 1927, and is now about to be discharged from the Sanatorium; and whether any pension or ex-gratia grant could be made to this soldier in view of the fact that his disease was contracted whilst in the Army, and that he is now destitute and has no place to go except the Kerry County Home.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GRANT TO SOLDIER.
I am aware that ex-Private James Mack was discharged from the Defence Forces suffering from tuberculosis, but, as this disease is not attributable to service within the statutory period, I regret that I am unable to award him a pension under the Army Pension Act, 1927. No public funds are available from which an ex-gratia grant could be paid.
I might add that this ex-soldier was insured under the National Health Insurance Acts and accordingly received sanatorium treatment following his discharge.