asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that a large number of appeals in respect of blind pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts, are pending in Kerry for over twelve months; when it is proposed to determine these cases; whether they could not be expedited by local examination by an eye specialist resident in the area, and whether he will consider allowing payments from the date of application if appeals are successful.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - KERRY BLIND PENSIONS APPEALS.
Decisions on a small number of appeals have been unavoidably delayed owing to the other engagements of the Department's Medical Inspector specially assigned for this work. He will, however, visit County Kerry this month, when an opportunity will be afforded to claimants for blind pensions whose cases are at present on appeal to submit themselves for ophthalmic examination. In cases of doubt it is necessary that claimants for blind pensions should be examined by a Medical Inspector of the Department specially qualified for this work. If, as a result of examination, it should appear that a claimant was blind from the time of application the pension may be made payable from a date not earlier than the date of the receipt of claim by the Pension Officer.
May I ask the Minister what is the specific test that his Department requires in the case of blindness?
I must ask the Deputy to give notice of that question.