asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that a sergeant was admitted to St. Bricin's Hospital on the 22nd January, 1953, suffering from tuberculosis; that this sergeant served with the Volunteer Force Reserve from October, 1934, to the 31st August, 1935; that he joined the permanent Force on 1st September, 1935, and that his total service in the Regular Army on the date of admission to hospital was 17 years and five months approximately; that he is refused sanatorium treatment at public expense on the grounds that he has more than 18 years' service, and that this interpretation of the regulation against him is based on the fact of his previous service with the VolunteerForce Reserve; and if he will instruct that the interpretation in this case is incorrect; and, further, if he will take steps to amend the regulations to provide that a soldier contracting tuberculosis during his service will be entitled to sanatorium treatment at public expense in the same way as if his service was less than 18 years on the date he is admitted to hospital suffering from tuberculosis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Tubercular Soldiers.
I am aware that a sergeant was admitted to St. Bricin's Hospital on the 22nd January, 1953, suffering from tuberculosis. This sergeant enlisted as a soldier in Óglaigh na hÉireann on 20th September, 1934, and was transferred to the Reserve—the Volunteer Force—on the same day. As a volunteer he re-entered Army service for the period of 28 days from 24th October, 1934, to 20th November, 1934. He was re-transferred to the Reserve on 21st November, 1934, and remained on the Reserve up to and including 31st July, 1935. On 1st August, 1935, he again re-entered Army service and he is still serving.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 152 of the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Acts, 1923, and relevant Defence Force Regulations, on 1st June, 1945, he re-engaged to complete 21 years' service, the service to be reckoned from the date of his original enlistment, i.e., 20th September, 1934. He has now completed 18 years and 187 days towards the fulfilment of his engagement. In the circumstances he is, therefore, not a soldier who is eligible for sanatorium treatment at the expense of the Defence Vote.
The question of affording sanatorium treatment to non-commissioned officers and men with more than 18 years' service on their current engagement is being further examined.