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Defence Forces Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Ceisteanna (129)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

129. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the person with responsibility for final sign-off of Army Pensions Board decisions; and if the Minister of State with special responsibility for defence is empowered to sign off on same. [15442/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 a disability pension or gratuity may, following retirement, be granted to a former member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad)  or to a disease attributable to, or aggravated by, overseas service with a United Nations Force.    

The criteria for awarding a disability pension or gratuity are based on;  

(a) whether the applicant is suffering from a permanent disablement due to wound/injury which is attributable to his military service at home or abroad, or to a disease attributable to or aggravated by service with a United Nations Force abroad,  

and

(b) the percentage degree of disablement from which the applicant is suffering. 

The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members (both medical doctors). The Chairman and one doctor are civilians and the other member is a serving medical officer in the Defence Forces. The Board’s principal function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Acts and to report to the Minister thereon.  The Board determines the question of attributability to military service in each case, assesses the degree of disability and reports its findings to the Minister.  Decisions and findings of the Board are made and approved collectively by the Board. The findings of the Board are final, conclusive and binding.             

The Army Pensions Acts 1923 -1980 set out the provisions that govern the award and payment of disability pensions and gratuities.  The Minister for Defence has responsibility for the Army Pensions Acts and has powers under the Acts.  These powers were delegated to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence by the Defence (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2017, made on 5 July 2017 under s. 2(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977.

The Minister may refer an application back to the Army Pensions Board for further consideration if additional relevant information has subsequently become available.

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