asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that payment of a disability pension to John McCarthy, Mail Coach Road, Dunmanway, County Cork, ceased some time ago on the ground that he did not suffer from a disability of the standard prescribed by the Army Pensions Act; that this man is in an advanced and irrecoverable state of pulmonary tuberculosis; that he recently furnished medical evidence showing that he suffered from a disability exceeding 80 per cent., and if he will ask the Army Pensions Board further to consider the case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dunmanway Disability Pension.
Mr. John McCarthy claimed in January, 1933, a disability pension under the Army Pensions Act, 1932, in respect of (1) cardiac debility, and (2) bronchitis, and on examination by the Army Pensions Board in June, 1933, he was found to be suffering from these disabilities, together with a further disability, viz., neurasthenia. On the basis of the Board's report he was awarded a temporary pension of £120 per annum, plus a married pension of 9/- per week based on an assessment of 80 per cent. disability, for the period 1st April, 1932 up to the 31st December, 1933. On the expiry of that award Mr. McCarthy was called for medical re-examination, but absented himself from hospital before the completion of his examination. He subsequently intimated his willingness to submit himself for complete examination, and was examined in November, 1934. The Army Pensions Board then reported that his degree of disability did not reach the minimum prescribed by the said Army Pensions Act, viz., 80 per cent., so that payment of pension could not be continued.
Mr. McCarthy did not claim a disability pension in respect of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the Board did not, at any time, find that he was suffering from that disease.
I will arrange, however, to have Mr. McCarthy re-examined by the Army Pensions Board as soon as practicable.