asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce legislation to amend the Army Pensions Acts to provide that the widows of disability pensioners qualify for 50 per cent of their deceased husband's disability pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pensions Acts.
73.
Where a disablement pensioner dies while in receipt of a pension which is based on a degree of disablement of 50 per cent or more, the Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of an allowances to his widow irrespective of the cause of his death. It is not proposed to amend the Acts as requested by the Deputy.
74.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce legislation to amend the Army Pensions Acts to permit the review of the cases of the few surviving final IRA disability pensioners, whose degree of disease or disablement did not reach the required standards when medically examined in St. Bricin's Hospital over 30 years ago, to qualify for free medical treatment and medicine and the full maximum pension, in view of their old age and mounting ill health, and if, in the meantime, he will arrange that hospital cases, upon application, will be admitted to St. Bricin's Hospital without delay.
I have under consideration the question of amending the Army Pensions Acts to provide for the review of all final wound and disability pensions which cannot be reviewed under existing legislation.
Under the Acts hospitals and medical treatment can be provided only in the case of pensioners who are in receipt of temporary awards of pension. The extension of such treatment to persons in receipt of final awards of pension is not contemplated.
(Cavan): Could the Minister say when his review will be completed? Does he intend to do as requested in the question?
The review is being carried out at the moment.
(Cavan): Would the Minister agree that it is a matter of some urgency and that to be of any practical value it should be dealt with quickly?
When I decided it was a matter worthy of review I considered it was a matter of urgency also.