asked the Minister for Finance why an RIC pension has not been paid to a person in respect of the period 28th August, 1929 to 29th February, 1932; and, in particular, why payment of the pension commenced on 1st March, 1932 rather than from the date of discharge from the Garda Síochána.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of RIC Pension.
17.
The person concerned was awarded a special pension in accordance with the RIC (Resigned and Dismissed) Pensions Order, 1924. Pensions were granted under the Order if suitable alternative employment could not be found for such persons; if employment were refused the pension was withdrawn.
He was appointed to the Garda Síochána in 1922 and he applied to retire on grounds of ill-health in 1929, being then aged 42 years. Examination by the Garda Surgeon at the time and by another doctor showed that there was nothing medically abnormal in the case and there were, therefore, no grounds for his discharge on ill-health. Nevertheless, he resigned from the Force and in the circumstances his RIC pension was withdrawn.
A medical certificate was furnished on his behalf two and a half years later indicating that he was then unfit for work. Independent medical examination confirmed this, but attributed it to a neurotic, not an organic, condition. Payment of the RIC pension, which will amount to £312 1s. 0d. as from 1st August next, was resumed as from the date of the examination.
Having regard to the fact that there is medical evidence of neurosis, is it not possible that that condition existed in August, 1929, when the man resigned for reasons which appeared at the time not to be physically provable?
The medical advice given at the time by three doctors was that there was nothing medically abnormal in the case and there were no grounds for the man's resignation. I am afraid I am not in a position, 36 years later, to quarrel with that medical opinion.
It does appear that there was no examination in 1929 as to the neurotic condition of the man. I know it is extremely difficult to reopen the case now but it would appear that there would be grounds for doing so.
It would seem from the sequence of events that the neurotic condition developed after 1929 and from examination made by other doctors, it was confirmed as having developed two and a half years after his retirement.