Written answers

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Pensions

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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88. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a commitment can be made to continue to provide funding for the medication of a person (details supplied) who is on an Army disability pension. [37725/19]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations.

Section 25 of the Army Pensions Act, 1927 provides that the Minister may defray the cost of any medical examination or treatment undergone by direction of the Minister, where the grant of pension has not yet been made final.

The cost of the medication for the person in question was covered by my Department under this provision of the Acts while they were in receipt of a temporary disability pension. However, once their pension was made final the provision no longer applied therefore the individual was informed in writing of the position and given time to make alternative arrangements.

There are no provisions under the Army Pensions Acts or otherwise for my Department to continue funding the medication in this case.

The person in question may wish to contact their local health office to see if any assistance can be given with regard to his medication.

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