asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of applications made to him for pensions under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934; (b) the number of service certificates granted; (c) the number of pensions granted; (d) the number of persons to whom he refused to grant service certificates, and (e) the number, so far as can be estimated, of the applications which remain to be dealt with by the referee, and approximately the date on which it is anticipated the referee will have completed the investigation of the applications referred to him.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
(a) The number of applications made and referred to the referee under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, is 59,799; (b) the number of service certificates issued or awaiting issue is 7,980; (c) the number of pensions granted is 7,946; (d) the number of persons to whom the grant of service certificates has been refused is 27,421; (e) the number of applications which remain to be dealt with by the referee is 24,398. It is not possible to give an approximate date on which it is anticipated that the referee will have completed the investigation of the applications referred to him.
The probable date will be about 1979.
Will the Minister say whether he can now hold out any hope that the promise he made when the Army Estimate was under discussion here, to the effect that he hoped all these applications would be disposed of by the present year, will be carried out.
As a matter of fact I have great pleasure in saying that all cases have been dealt with by the referee, but it will be recollected that, on the occasion the Deputy has referred to, I made it quite clear that that did not include appeals. Every case has now been examined. If, however, 20,000 people appeal, then their appeals will have to be heard. I made that very clear on the occasion to which the Deputy has referred.
What I cannot understand—perhaps the Minister may be able to explain it—is the delay that has taken place in disposing of the cases of applicants who were before the board as far back as 1937 and 1938.
And 1934.
I know myself of cases that go back as far as 1937 and 1938.
Mainly, the question of the production of the evidence asked for by the referee not being forthcoming.
In one particular case that was brought to my notice this year, the evidence required by the referee was submitted, and still the claim has not yet been disposed of. That is a 1937 case.
If the Deputy brings that case to my notice I will have it dealt with.
I have already written to the Minister about it.