asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that the Athy No. 1 Pensions Sub-Committee awarded a blind pension of 10s. per week to Patrick Quinn, No. in Pensions Officer's Register, 2186B, on January 16th, 1924; that the Pensions Officer lodged an appeal against this decision; whether, as promised in letter of March 19th, 1924, the Medical Inspector of the Department has made a report as to the degree of blindness in the case, and whether he will award a pension in view of the fact that Mr. Quinn's eyes are so bad that he cannot undertake any kind of work.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ATHY BLIND PENSION CLAIM.
This case will be inspected as soon as possible. The Medical Inspector who has charge of this work has been very much pressed owing to the enormous number of cases involved.
To enable the duties to be performed as expeditiously as possible, cases are being dealt with county by county.
That no doubt whatever might remain as to the eligibility of applicants, the Medical Inspector concerned took out a special course of optics.
In view of the fact that a Medical Inspector is not able to cope with the work, will the Minister consider the appointment of a second Medical Inspector?
In view of the fact that delay has been occasioned in dealing with this case, will the pension be made restrospective if it is awarded?
I believe in those cases the pensions will not be made retrospective. They will be only paid from the date on which the pension will be granted.
Does that mean that if the Inspector is not able to call and inspect those cases the blind person is to remain out of pension for an indefinite period, say, 6 or 12 or many more months?
There has not been very great delay in any case. If it is considered there is an unreasonable delay, I will see about having other inspectors appointed.
Is the Minister aware that the practice was to pay the pension from the time it was granted by the Committee? Has any alteration taken place in that procedure, and if so, when, and by what authority, did the alteration take place?
Does not the Minister consider it was undue delay to have a person waiting from the 16th January, 1924, until July?
I will look into those facts ——
They are facts.
Or alleged facts.