asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the total number of (1) officers, (2) N.C.O.s, and (3) men, discharged from the Army as medically unfit since the 1st September, 1939, distinguishing between those serving, those on the reserve, and those enlisted for the duration; and the number so discharged who received on discharge no payment by way of pension, gratuity or bonus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discharges from the Army.
The particulars required by the Deputy are as follows:—
|
Class |
Officers |
N.C.O's. |
Privates |
Total |
|
Permanent Force |
9 |
47 |
543 |
599 |
|
General Reservists |
1 |
77 |
364 |
442 |
|
Volunteer Force |
7 |
84 |
1,846 |
1,937 |
|
Emergency Durationists |
7 |
158 |
3,444 |
3,609 |
|
Grand Total |
24 |
366 |
6,197 |
6,587 |
The seven officers included in the class of emergency durationists were temporary reserve officers.
Ten officers, 28 non-commissioned officers and 97 men discharged on medical grounds since the 1st September, 1939, received pensions or gratuities. The records dealing with the payment of pensions or gratuities do not indicate to what category of the Defence Forces the men concerned belonged, and the desired segregation could not be furnished without some delay.
In regard to the number discharged who received no payment by way of pension, gratuity or bonus, I desire again to mention what I have already stated in the House, namely, that it is proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Army Pensions Acts. This amendment will extend the provisions of the Acts to men discharged medically unfit where disability, although not due to a wound or injury (as at present required by the Acts) was attributable to Army service.
In view of the fact that the 6,452 men who have been discharged from the Defence Forces without gratuity or bonus of any kind constitute 98 per cent. of the total who have been discharged as a result of ill-health and, as it is probably correct that a large percentage of that number cannot prove that their ill-health is attributable to Army service, will the Minister say whether he will set up some kind of machinery of liaison that would connect these men with the ordinary medical services of the country of a relief kind or with other relief services, so that they will not be discharged from the Army, incapacitated by ill-health, and left to make their own contacts in whatever way they can with the relief services, medical or otherwise, in the country?
Of course very large numbers of the men who are discharged as being medically unfit are suffering merely from very minor ailments such as sore feet or tender feet, or something of that kind, and, in the natural way, they would not be retained in the Army and they would have no call upon a pension or gratuity of the kind I am dealing with under the Army Pensions Acts.
I quite appreciate that, but when a man is discharged from the Army on the grounds of ill-health, even though he may be incapacitated only in a slight way, he finds it almost impossible to get back into his ordinary employment although he may be physically fit for it. Therefore, as well as putting them into touch with relief services, where necessary, some kind of Army liaison is necessary in order to shepherd them back to their normal employment where an assurance is required from the Army authorities that their incapacity is not such as to involve danger if they return to their ordinary employment.
The present law ensures that the men will be taken back to their ordinary employment if they are discharged on medical grounds such as I have outlined.
It is not working.
If it is not working, I will be quite prepared, as far as it lies within me to do so, to see that it does work. I can assure the Deputy of that. I can also tell him that everyone of these people who has been discharged will have the right to go before the medical board to make his plea and, if possible, ensure that if he is entitled to a pension, he will secure it. I will see that that will be done also.
Can the Minister say, at this stage, when the proposed legislation is likely to be introduced?
I had hoped to get it in before the Recess, but I am afraid I will not be able to do that now. It will certainly be introduced immediately we resume.