asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state how many applicants for blind pensions in Saorstát Eireann are awaiting examination by the medical representative of the Department of Local Government and Public Health and if the Minister can state how long will applicants for blind pensions in County Donegal have to wait before they can be examined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Persons' Pensions—Donegal Applicants.
Blind pension administration is carried out as part of Old Age Pension administration and the number of appeals on both heads has increased to an abnormal extent since the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1932, with the result that a certain amount of unavoidable delay has occurred in dealing with the appeals which have arisen. Accurate statistics cannot be given, but so far as can be ascertained there are upwards of 1,800 appeals awaiting decision on blind pension claims. Donegal County Board of Health has not appointed a County Ophthalmic Surgeon and claimants for blind pensions in that county have not therefore the advantage of procuring certificates which exist in counties where such an appointment has been made.
County Donegal has, however, no cause for complaint as the Departmental Medical Inspector made an extended tour of inspection therein in December, 1932, when he examined 180 claimants. He examined a further 19 claimants in Inishowen on 9th May, 1933, when he was in that area. Sixty-five cases appear to remain not yet dealt with in the county, the reason for the delay lying, in some cases, with the claimants themselves, as they failed to appear for examination when called before the inspector. These remaining cases will receive attention at the earliest available opportunity.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, while fully appreciating the splendid work which has been done by the Department's Medical Officer in Donegal, does the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that, if there are 1,800 appellants who must be medically examined, steps should be taken forthwith to provide for greater dispatch and greater facilities for their examinations? When he says that Donegal has no reason to complain, might I ask him does he mean that the persons who lodged their applications subsequent to the departure of the Departmental Medical Inspector have no complaint on being called upon to wait nine to 12 months to be examined?
I stated, in answer to the Deputy's question, that the Departmental Medical Inspector made an extended tour therein in December, 1932, when he examined 180 claimants; that on the 9th May, 1933, he was again in Donegal and examined a further 19 claimants; and that, in view of that, County Donegal has no reason to complain. County Donegal has got more attention from the Departmental Inspector in relation to blind pension claims than, I think, any county in the 26 County area. If the County Donegal Board of Health appointed an ophthalmic surgeon it would be unnecessary to send the medical inspector down to Donegal to carry out examination; the certificate of the ophthalmic surgeon would be accepted. So far the County Donegal Board of Health have failed to make such an appointment.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary make representations to the public authority in Donegal with a view to having such an officer appointed at the earliest possible moment?
Perhaps the Deputy will?
It would come better, I have no doubt, from the Parliamentary Secretary.