asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that P. Mooney, a one-armed man, who served for thirty years as a postman in the Kildangan-Monasterevan district, has been compelled to retire from the service owing to heart trouble, and is receiving no pension or grant of any kind; and, if so, whether in view of all the facts of the case the Minister will consider if something cannot be done for this man to enable him to make a living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kildangan-Monasterevan Postman.
Mr. Mooney was employed as a part-time auxiliary postman until July last, when he ceased duty owing to his physical incapacity for further service. The nature of such employment gave him no claim to any award under the Superannuation Acts, and I regret that there is no fund at my disposal from which he is eligible for a grant. It is understood that he is in receipt of National Health Insurance benefit.
Mr. Wolfe
Arising out of the answer, there is naturally a very strong feeling in that district where this man has been known so long against allowing him to go penniless after giving his full time to this work, because he has had to walk all these years from Monasterevan and back in the evening delivering letters. It has been a full-time job, although he is called an auxiliary postman, and it would be exceedingly hard if something is not done for this man.
Is the Deputy asking a question?
Mr. Wolfe
I am enlarging upon it. The Parliamentary Secretary states that there is no fund out of which a case like this can be met. I am under the impression that there is a Post Office fund called the Rowland Hill Fund.
That is not under the control of the Parliamentary Secretary.
Mr. Wolfe
I suggest that the Parliamentary Secretary should recommend this man as a case for kind consideration to the Committee.
The Parliamentary Secretary has no function in the matter at all.