asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing proposals for legislation to amend the Army Pensions Act, 1953, to permit, in cases where the original applicant has died, relatives to apply for an allowance subsequent to 5th August, 1954.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensions.
Part II of the Army Pensions Act, 1953, provides that where a person dies while in receipt of an allowance under that part, it is open to another eligible relative to make application for an allowance not later than 12 months after the death of such person.
Proposals to amend the Act on the lines suggested in the Deputy's question are not contemplated.
Will the Minister now say that the promise he made to the Old I.R.A. about introducing amendments to the Army Pensions Act was just policy?
My promise to them will be honoured as soon as I am in a position to do so. On the Estimates here last year I said that I proposed to allow the present board to complete its investigations, and when I would have an over-all picture of what had happened I would then be in a position to bring in legislation. That is not as easy as it looks.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the reason for the delay by the Military Service Pensions Board in giving a decision on the application for a military service pension by Mr. William Hopkins, Dooleague, Ballina, County Mayo, whose case came before the Referee in Ballina over two years ago.
A decision in the case referred to was not reached prior to the dissolution of the board of assessors on the death of the former chairman. The application is at present under consideration by the newly constituted board of assessors who hope to be in a position to furnish their report in the case at an early date.
Will the Minister promise it will not be two and a half years more before we get any result?
The Minister could not—it is a matter for the board.
It is a terrible thing if it takes three or four years to decide one simple application.
There are 4,000 "simple" applications.