Vol. 406 No. 8
59 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was found to be medically unfit for work when he had his claim for disability benefit refused by the Department of Social Welfare.
The Department of Defence considered the person in question unfit for work as a shipwright because he suffered from vertigo and could not work at heights. He was considered fit for, and capable for, other work, not involving heights. He declined to accept an offer made by the Department of an alternative position as a storeman. When certified as permanently incapacitated for the duties of his employment as shipwright, he retired on health grounds in January 1987 with a gratuity and pension.
Decisions on claims for disability benefit are matters for the Department of Social Welfare.
