Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2017
543. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has signed decisions to grant Defence Forces disability pensions in which the applicant has applied on the basis of disability due to Lariam use; and if so, the number of such decisions to grant he has signed. [51834/17]
View answer544. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has denied Defence Forces disability pension applications in which the applicant has applied on the basis of disability due to Lariam use; and if so, the number of such denials he has issued. [51835/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 71 on 11th July 2017. Under the Army Pensions Acts a disability pension or gratuity may, following retirement, be granted to a former member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service – whether at home or abroad – or to a disease that is secondary to an injury, or that is attributable to or aggravated by, overseas service with a United Nations Force.
The award of a disability pension or gratuity depends on the findings of the Army Pensions Board. The Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Acts consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members (both doctors). The Board’s principal function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Acts and to report to the Minister thereon. It is open to the Board, on a case by case basis, to seek additional outside medical opinion, for example, from a relevant specialist or consultant if considered necessary to assist it to reach a finding.
The Board determines the question of attributability to military service in each case; assesses the degree of disability; and reports its findings to the Department, which then acts on the Board’s findings, including informing the applicant of the grant or refusal of appropriate benefits, as the case may be. The findings of the Army Pensions Board in regard to ‘attributability’ are final and conclusive and binding. However, there is provision for review of awards or refusals subject to certain conditions, for example if additional relevant new information subsequently becomes available and is provided to the Board for its consideration.
Over recent years, there have been a small number (18) of disability pension applications from former members of the PDF involving claims for Lariam-related illness. One application was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant. Of the 15 cases decided by the Army Pensions Board to date, the Board has not made a finding of disablement attributable to military service as a result of being prescribed Lariam Mefloquine (anti-malarial medication) while serving in the PDF. Consequently, no former PDF members are in receipt of military disability pensions arising from treatment with Lariam.
