asked the Minister for Defence if he is yet in a position to state whether sittings of the Pensions Board under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, will be held in provincial centres, and if in view of the hardship and expense incurred by claimants at the present time he will expedite a decision in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sittings of Pensions Board.
Mr. Brodrick
No decision has yet been taken by the referee as regards sittings in provincial centres.
Mr. Brodrick
Can the Minister tell us when a decision will be taken?
I can not.
Mr. Brodrick
Has it been decided that there will not be sittings in provincial centres?
The position at the moment is that the claimants come to Dublin.
Mr. Brodrick
Is the Minister not aware of the financial difficulties of claimants? If they have to travel to Dublin is there any cheap means by which they can do so?
I do not know.
Mr. Brodrick
May I take it that the Minister is convinced that they have to come to Dublin to have their claims heard?
Until a decision is taken by the referee to move his board to a provincial centre.