asked the Minister for Defence if he will state when a decision will be conveyed to Mr. John Walsh, Dublin Road, Tullow, in respect of his application for a pension under the Military Service Pension Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
Mr. John Walsh made an application under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. The application was referred to the referee appointed under the Act, who reported to me that Mr. Walsh was not a person to whom that Act applied, being a person to whom the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, applied. It was represented to me that Mr. Walsh did not apply under the Act of 1924, within the prescribed time, because he was unable to obtain evidence from his officers. In view of all the circumstances, and having regard to the discretion given me under Article 10 of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1927, No. 13, I directed that an application under the 1924 Act be accepted in the case. The application has been referred to the Board of Assessors, who have not yet reported to me.
Could the Minister indicate when the decision is likely to be conveyed?
I have not the slightest idea. They are dealing with a large number of these cases.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has received an application for a military service pension from Mr. John O'Connor, Derry Street, Durrow, County Leix, formerly "B" Company, 17th Battalion, Kerry Command, and, if so, what is the position relating to it; and if he will state why the formal certificate of service as promised in letter (SDR/2464) dated 13th November, 1923, from his Department was never dispatched to Mr. O'Connor.
Mr. John O'Connor submitted an application under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924. The application was referred to the Board of Assessors appointed under that Act. The board reported that the applicant's service was not of a nature to qualify for a pension in respect of it.
Mr. O'Connor also applied under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. The Referee reported that he was a person to whom the Act did not apply and Mr. O'Connor was informed accordingly on the 28th October, 1940.
The certificate of Mr. O'Connor's service in the National Forces, as promised in the letter of the 13th November, 1923, was not issued owing to an oversight, but arrangements are now being made to issue it.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state: (1) the number of applicants for pensions under Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, from (a) Laoighis, and (b) Offaly: (2) the number of awards in each of these counties, and the number rejected: (3) the number, if any, still under consideration; and (4) the total paid in this constituency in pensions under this Act in the year 1942.
A statement is being prepared furnishing in so far as is practicable the particulars required, and will be forwarded to the Deputy at an early date.
Am I in order in asking a supplementary question to the previous question?
The Chair will allow it. The Deputy may not have realised that we were passing on so quickly.
I want to draw the attention of the Minister that it is nearly time he looked into it since 1923.
That was a statement.