Vol. 524 No. 2
181 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Defence the reason disability pension has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that, after 27 years service, he was offered early retirement on medical grounds and further taking into consideration the medical assessment of 7 June 2000; if he will ensure that his pension is immediately put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21900/00]
On his retirement from the Defence Forces in January 1997 under the voluntary early retirement scheme, the person in question was granted a service pension and gratuity under the Defence Forces pension schemes, together with an additional severance gratuity, appropriate to his rank and service.
In 1998, he applied for a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of noise-induced hearing loss and one other medical condition. His case was referred to the Army Pensions Board, which is the statutory body appointed under those Acts to investigate and report on applications for disability pensions. Recently, the board reported that only his hearing condition is attributable to his military service and that the degree of his disablement due to this condition does not reach the minimum of 20% required to qualify for a disability pension. However, based on the board's findings, he is eligible to be considered for the award of a disablement gratuity.
