asked the Minister for Defence if a soldier, who contracts a disease while serving in the Army in this country after 2nd September, 1946 and who is discharged on this account is entitled to a pension; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensionability of Discharged Soldier.
82.
The Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of disability pensions to former members of the Defence Forces in respect of disease only where the disease is attributable to service under abnormal conditions such as service during the April, 1922 —September, 1924 period, the emergency period (1939-1946) or with a United Nations Force.
A soldier discharged on medical grounds is entitled to a pension under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes on completion of 15 years' service in the Permanent Defence Force.
Surely the Minister will agree if somebody joins the Defence Forces in good health and develops some disease while serving in the Army that because that disease cannot be attributed to service before 1946, during the emergency period— even though the emergency period is still in operation—or on United Nations service, it is most unfair that the soldier should be told—he may have contracted a disease on manoeuvres; there are many ways in which he can contract a disease—he will not get a pension? Will the Minister agree to have another look at it?
This matter was considered on several occasions before. It was considered in 1931, in 1937 and in 1952 and on each occasion it was disallowed. Certain reasons were given at the time and the Deputy would know the reasons himself. You also have to bear in mind that the Garda Síochána and the Civil Service are not provided with pensions on the lines suggested by Deputy Tully.
I am not suggesting that they should be, but would the Minister not agree that if it was found reasonable on previous occasions to reassess the position that now, when 16 years have gone by, the Minister should look into it again? He was not Minister when the decision was taken and, as he is a very reasonable man, perhaps he might bring a different view to bear on it. Will he check with other armies to see what the position is?
I have not checked with other armies but a discharged soldier without a pension who is ill has the benefits of other Acts, the Health Acts and the Social Welfare Acts.
That is a fat lot of use to him if he is a single man.
Can the Minister say what would happen in the case of a soldier serving abroad who contracted, say, malaria?
He is covered and he gets an extra allowance.
What happens in the case of a soldier serving with the United Nations who is wounded and disabled?
A gratuity is payable to him in certain circumstances. I am talking off the cuff now because this question has not been asked——
Perhaps it may be unfair to the Minister.
It is not easy to answer this without having the record before me.
I have been on to the Minister about a young man who was serving in the Congo and was disabled for life and all he got was £900.
We paid him——
This was an able young man aged 26.
The degree of disability was a factor in this case which was determined by the Army Pensions Board.