Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1929

Vol. 31 No. 1

In Committee on Finance. - Vote 15—Personal Injuries Compensation.

Mr. Blythe

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £2,600 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar crioch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1930, chun íocaíochtanna áirithe Cúiteamh i dtaobh Leonta Pearsanta no Báis.

That a sum not exceeding £2,600 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1930, for certain payments of Compensation in respect of Personal Injuries or death.

Mr. Kennedy

Arising out of this Vote, I would like to draw the attention of the Minister to the number of fictitious claims that are constantly being made by a body known as the Southern Irish Loyalists. I do not believe it arises out of this Vote, but I take the opportunity to point out——

An Ceann Comhairle

If it does not arise under this Vote it does not arise, and the Deputy cannot go on.

Mr. Blythe

They do not.

Mr. Kennedy

Sub-head A deals with compensation in respect of death or injuries sustained within the period 21st January, 1919, to the 12th May, 1923, in cases within the terms of reference of the Compensation (Personal Injuries) Committee. The provision made in this sub-head is intended to meet ex gratia payments made as a result of the recommendation of the Committee in respect of death or injuries sustained within the period 21st January, 1919, to 12th May, 1923, inclusive. The provision represents almost entirely the annual amount of the periodical allowances made on the recommendation of the Committee. There are also ex gratia payments heretofore sanctioned by the British Government in respect of injuries sustained by certain non-combatants in Easter Week, 1916. It is probable that the same body that makes claims under this Vote makes claims against the British Government. I want to say that most of these claims are altogether fictitious and are exaggerated to a great extent. There was a case where a man claimed £400 which was sent back by the Council to make the claim £4,000, and he got £3,000. That is going on every day.

Mr. Blythe

We cannot stop it. It does not arise on this Vote.

Mr. Corry

I want to draw attention, as I did twelve months ago, to a few cases in my district, which I then asked the Minister for Finance to do something about. Nothing has been done. They are cases that to my mind do not look well for any Government claiming to have national aspirations. They are the cases of dependents of Volunteers who were killed during the fighting before the Truce. Unfortunately some of them at present, to the disgrace of the Government that is in power, are absolutely destitute. They are in the position that they have to get home assistance from the Cork Board of Assistance. That is a state of affairs that should not exist. I do not like to be bringing it up here, but I have to do so when I can get no satisfaction anywhere else. I consider that cases like that should not exist, particularly with a Government which is so generous in other directions. Unfortunately we have several cases of that description in my constituency. I would ask the Minister definitely to state whether these cases are going to be redressed or not. If not, I will oppose the passing of the Vote.

Mr. Blythe

I have nothing to add to what I said last year. I do not see how any of these cases can be reopened at this stage.

Mr. Corry

Does the Minister consider it right or just that the dependents of men who died for the independence of this country should be left to depend on home assistance or the poorhouse? Does he consider it justice in view of the £3,000 and the £5,000 that he is squandering every other week?

Vote put and agreed to.