asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that a large number of applicants for Old I.R.A. military service pensions residing in West Waterford have not yet been notified of the date of hearing of their case by the Military Service Pensions Board; and, if so, whether he will consider instructing the board to hold a hearing at an early date in Dungarvan, County Waterford, so that applicants will be saved the trouble and expense of travelling a long distance to have their claims heard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Pension Claims (County Waterford).
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the 5th Battalion, County Waterford Old I.R.A. Men's Association, claims that only about one-third of the applicants for I.R.A. pensions have been notified to attend before the pensions board at the sitting to be held in Waterford on the 8th and 9th February, 1952; that the organisation is of the opinion that those not called will be unable, due to financial reasons, to travel to Dublin to have their claims heard at a later date and is deeply concerned at the failure of the board to have before it claims of some members who are in receipt of temporary allowances and those of some deceased members; and, if, in the circumstances, he will arrange that all claims from Waterford City and County will be heard in Waterford at the earliest date possible and that those who are known to be in urgent need will receive priority in hearing.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together.
The Referee has just completed a fortnight's sittings in Waterford, during which it was possible to investigate only a proportion of the applications from that county. I understand that further sittings will be arranged as soon as circumstances permit and that, in the selection of applications for investigation and the arrangement of venues locally for hearings, the factors and types of cases which the Deputy mentions will be borne in mind by the Referee.