§ MR. CULLINANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether infirmary patients under medical treatment are entitled to the benefits of the Old-Age Pensions Act; and, if so, whether, in view of the lack of proper accommodation or classification, as in the male portion of the Tipperary workhouse, he will instruct pension officers not to disqualify applicants because of the want of such provisions.
§ MR. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the terms of Section 3 (1) of the Old-Age Pensions Act. It rests with the pension committee, subject to an appeal to the Local Government Board, to decide whether or not the report of the pension officer on any particular case should be accepted. The Local Government Board cannot undertake to give directions to the pension officers as suggested, but, in the event of an appeal to the Board, the circumstances of each case will be fully investigated.