Ruairí Quinn
Question:20 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if all personnel within the Defence Forces are entitled to apply for and to be granted disability pensions if the medical circumstances warrant same; and if not, the reason.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Pensions.
A former member of the Permanent Defence Force may apply for a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923 to 1980, in respect of disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to service and a disease attributable to or aggravated by service during the Emergency Period — 1939-46 — or with a United Nations Force abroad.
May I ask the Minister the groups which are excluded from this disability pension?
The Army Pensions Acts do not apply to the FCA or Slua Muirí, which are covered by the various emergency powers, local Defence Forces schemes and so on and are on an ex gratia basis. The First Line Reserve, together with the members of the Permanent Defence Force are covered.
Would the Minister agree that it is totally unfair and discriminatory to certain groups? For example, I mentioned various Army bands whose personnel are excluded from disability pensions, particularly since some of them could have served up to 40 years in the Army, who perhaps have had to leave on account of having suffered, say, a heart attack who could be classified as being below the requisite military physical standard? There is something wrong there. I would ask the Minister to take cognisance of this fact.
I will take cognisance of the fact all right. Was it that to which the Deputy referred in his question? I think that is a separate matter.
The personnel of the various Army bands are not covered by this either.
Yes, I will check that out and come back to the Deputy on it.
Is the Minister aware of the difficulty experienced by a very limited number of people in receipt of Army disability pensions, who subsequently recover from their disability but find it extremely difficult — through no fault of theirs but rather through the fault of the system obtaining — to be reinstated in the Army when they apply?
There are obvious problems in that respect. Is the Deputy talking about medical proof problems as to recovery?
I have come across a number of cases in my constituency when, even with absolute acceptance all round that a recovery has been made — because such people previously drew Army pensions — there still seems to be an obstacle to their being reinstated.
I would not like to be party to anything that would be inequitable in that respect. I will certainly have the matter examined. I see the Deputy's point.
Such people are more or less treated as new applicants without any consideration being given their previous service.
I can see the Deputy's point, yes.
In respect of the groups I have mentioned if it is established that what I am saying is correct — in view of the small number involved — would the Minister favourably consider such applicants?
Certainly I will look at it.