Vol. 560 No. 1
205 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the responsibility that his Department or the Defence Forces have towards personnel who were injured in the course of carrying out their duties as members of the Defence Forces and who, subsequently leave the Defence Forces having reached retiring age, but still suffer pain and discomfort as a result of the injuries received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2096/03]
Former members of the Permanent Defence Force who were injured in the course of duty may, following retirement, apply to my Department for a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts. Those Acts provide for the grant of a disability pension in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service. Application for a disability pension in respect of a wound or injury must be made within one year of retirement.
Former members of the Permanent Defence Force are eligible for medical and hospital treatment under the Health Acts in the same way as other members of the community. There is no general provision for the continued treatment of military personnel under the auspices of the Department of Defence or the Defence Forces following their retirement.
