asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether it is now proposed to abolish the abatement of military service pensions which are payable to persons in the Civil Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
The reply to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
In view of the fact that this question has been raised by myself and others for quite a while and in view of the fact that a promise of sympathetic consideration was given, would the Minister now indicate why the decision is in the negative?
The sympathy is still there. The reply is in the negative.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of claims decided by the Military Service Pensions Board since its reconstitution under the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949; (b) the number of claims from persons in (i) Dublin City, and (ii) the rest of the country disposed of, and (c) the total number of claims lodged up to and including 31st December, 1950.
Five hundred and fifty claims have been heard and decided upon by the Military Service Pensions Board since its reconstitution under the 1949 Act. One hundred and thirty-four of these claims were from persons residing in Dublin City and 416 from the rest of the country. The total number of claims lodged up to and including 31st December, 1950, amounted to 6,057.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of appeal cases under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1949, which have been decided by the referee; (b) the number of successful appeals; (c) the amounts awarded to successful applicants, and (d) whether the same officials are dealing with appeal cases under the 1949 Act as dealt with cases under the 1934 Act.
The number of appeal cases under the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949, which have been decided by the referee up to the 31st January, 1951, is 334, and 193 of these have been successful. A list is being compiled setting out the successful applicants with the amounts awarded to them which will be forwarded to the Deputy at an early date. The Advisory Committee reconstituted subsequent to the passing of the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949, contains one officer who served prior to the enactment of that Act.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state when it is hoped to have the next sitting of the Military Service Pensions Tribunal in Cork County.
It is not possible at this stage to indicate when the referee and advisory committee and the board of assessors will visit Cork again for the purpose of hearing evidence on applications under the Military Service Pensions Acts.