David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1720. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if there is any redress for former members of the Defence Forces that were not part of a personal injury compensation scheme within the timeframe stated of six months; if so, the criteria which would need to be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41233/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Personal Injuries Compensation Scheme for Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is a non-statutory scheme administered by my Department. The Scheme covers members of the RDF who are injured in the course of their duties, typically while participating in annual training, field days, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Details of the Scheme are available at Unit level for Reserve Defence Force personnel.

In general, the deadline is that formal application under the scheme must be made to my Department within six months of the date on which the injury was sustained. The person in question was discharged from the RDF in 2008; however, he did not make an enquiry about making an application under the Scheme until April 2016. He was advised that as he did not initiate a claim within the specified time limit it was not possible to accept an application from him.

There is provision for extension of the six-month time limit if there are special circumstances in a particular case. In this regard it should be noted that the six-month time limit applies from the date the injury was sustained, rather than the date of discharge. I am not aware that any special circumstances exist in this case. However, if the person concerned wishes to make a case regarding the time limit, it can be considered. This should be sent to the Pensions Administration Section, Department of Defence, Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Galway.