asked the Minister for Defence why suitable medical equipment (details supplied) was not and has not since been made available for a soldier (name supplied) injured in the Congo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Equipment for Injured Soldier.
17.
A self-propelling wheel chair with an adjustable leg rest which is suitable for use by the soldier to which the Deputy refers has recently been provided at Ospidéal Naomh Bhricín.
Does the Minister consider it was proper that this man should have been left for a period of three weeks after his return from the Congo without any wheel chair being provided, that when the wheel chair was provided it was an old and antiquated model, with some spokes out of the wheels and with part of its mechanism tied together by string; and will he further state whether it is correct that a request was made for a modern wheel chair that could be pushed by reasonable exertion and that such request was refused?
No such request was refused. I am not aware, in the first instance, that there was any period during which there was no chair available, but I am aware that the one that was available was not one which could be moved from place to place by the person occupying the chair. There is no doubt that there was a delay in providing this self-propelling wheel chair but it has now been provided.
Could the Minister say when?
It was delivered on Monday.
In other words, since the question went down.
No, it was delivered on Monday.
Rather odd.
Is it not a fact that a fortnight ago I took up this matter with the Minister privately and, as a result of representations that were made, I received a letter in the past two days saying this matter had been dealt with? Is it not also a fact that while this man was in the Congo he was given a very modern type of wheel chair which he richly deserved?
By the Belgian Nuns.
When he came back to Ireland he was forgotten above in St. Bricin's Hospital.
The Deputy is not asking a question. He is making a statement.