asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if he is aware that Mr. Francis Jenkins, V.R. 480, was discharged, medically unfit, from the Army on the 13th May last, having served 11 years and 301 days, and if he will state whether any compensation has been paid to Mr. Jenkins, or whether any steps have been taken to endeavour to provide him with suitable employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Suitable Employment or Gratuity for Discharged Army Men.
The reply to the first query in the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. No provision has been made in the Army Pensions Acts under which a claim for disability attributable to disease contracted subsequent to the 30th September, 1924, could be considered.
I have not received any application from Mr. Jenkins to assist him to secure suitable employment.
Is it the position that a man may be discharged from the Army after serving more than 11 years, and put out before his time because of medical unfitness, and that he will not receive any gratuity of any kind on leaving the Army? Will the Army authorities take any steps to see that something is done to secure him employment on leaving the Army or to give him some gratuity?
The Deputy should be aware that that was the position for 11 years.
Surely the Minister cannot say that a man was discharged from the Army with anything like 11 years' service because of unfitness through sickness, and that nothing was done in such cases during the time of the late Government?
The Deputy must be aware that there is no provision in the Pensions Act to give a man a gratuity on leaving the Army.
Surely the Minister must admit that he has power to frame a pensions scheme that will enable him to give compensation in such cases?
I have.
Will the Minister say how long he has that power without acting on it?
About one-third of the time the Deputy had it.
How long has the Minister that power?