asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the possibility of having applicants for special allowance in County Galway medically examined in the Regional Hospital, Galway, so that it will not be necessary for them to travel to Saint Bricin's Hospital, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - County Galway Special Allowance Applicants.
59.
In cases of applicants under seventy years of age, an essential qualification for the award of a special allowance under the Army Pensions Acts is that they are incapable of self-support by reason of permanent infirmity. In such cases I am advised by Bord na nArm Phinsean as to whether an applicant is so incapable. In certain cases, An Bord decides that it is desirable that it should examine the applicant at Ospidéal Bricin, where tests which it feels may be necessary can be carried out conveniently. In others, it recommends that the applicant be examined locally by a pensions medical officer. The latter procedure is always arranged where there is medical evidence that the applicant is unfit to travel. A departure from the procedure outlined is not contemplated.