asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of applications for service pensions received under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, from persons residing in (1) Laoighis, (2) Offaly; the number of such applicants called before the Pensions Board; the number of claims sanctioned, and the annual cost of same; also the number of claims deferred or declined by the board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Claims.
Owing to the large number of applications received under the Act, it is not practicable to state the number of such applicants who reside in Laoighis and Offaly. The number of applicants called before the referee and advisory committee and the number of applications which have received preliminary examination are as follows:—
|
Offaly No. 1 Brigade |
Offaly No. 2 Brigade |
Leix Brigade |
|
|
Applications examined |
109 |
309 |
53 |
|
Applicants called for examination |
30 |
67 |
23 |
The number of pensions sanctioned and the annual cost of same are as follows:
|
Numbers |
Annual Cost |
|||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
||
|
Leix |
9 |
564 |
15 |
10 |
|
Offaly |
56 |
1,755 |
9 |
5 |
No applications from the Brigade Areas mentioned have up to the present been refused.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has had any correspondence recently in connection with an Army pensions claim made by John McGoldrick, Alcrock, Corlough, Bawnboy, County Cavan, which was turned down some time ago; if he will state the reasons for refusing a pension in this case; if he is aware that the applicant lost his health because of his Army service, and has been unable to earn his livelihood as a consequence; and if, having regard to the hardship suffered, the Minister will have this case reopened with a view to awarding a pension.
Mr. John McGoldrick, Alcrock, Corlough, Bawnboy, County Cavan, submitted an application under the Army Pensions Act, 1927, in respect of pulmonary tuberculosis stated to have been due to service in the National Army. On the 17th December, 1929, the Pensions Medical Board reported that the applicant's disablement was not attributable to military service within the statutory period, i.e., the period from 1st April, 1922, to 30th September, 1924.
I have no power within the terms of the Pensions Acts to have such a case reopened.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he in a position to say whether he has received a number of this kind of application in which tuberculosis has developed some time after a soldier serving with the forces has retired for one reason or the other; and, if so, would the Minister undertake to examine the problem of postponing this whole question of tuberculosis with a view to seeing whether statutory action of some kind can be taken to do justice to these men?
asked the Minister for Defence if medical evidence has been submitted to him in the case of James Crowley, Kilanetig, Ballinadee, Bandon, who was wounded at Crossbarry in March, 1921, and if he will have this case reconsidered, and the further evidence examined (including medical certificates to the effect that Crowley is 100 per cent. disabled) with a view to bringing him within the provisions of Section 23 of the Army Pensions Act, 1932.
Mr. James Crowley's case was first reported on by the Pensions Medical Board in 1924 and he was awarded a gratuity of £60. Because of evidence subsequently submitted it was reconsidered in 1933 and the Pensions Medical Board reported that the degree of disability had not increased. I am advised that I have no power under the Pensions Acts again to reconsider such a case. In view, however, of the evidence recently submitted, I am having the legal position further examined, and I will advise the Deputy in the matter at an early date.