§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (on behalf of Mr. Power)asked on what grounds has John Fennell, Blantis, Ballinamult, county Waterford, been deprived of his old age pension; seeing the unreliability of the Census Returns, what steps does the Local Government Board take to ascertain ages of applicants; and when no documentary evidence as to age can be procured, does the Local Government Board take local evidence on the subject, or does it reject all cases where no documentary evidence can be procured, or where the name does not appear in the Census of 1841?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board confirmed the decision of the local pension sub-committee disallowing the claim of John Fennell on the ground that he had failed to prove that he had reached the statutory age. The Board are always ready to consider any evidence as to age which claimants or pensioners can lay before them.
§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (on behalf of Mr. Duffy)asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that William Shaughnessy, of Church-street, Athenry, was twice awarded a pension of 5s. a week by the sub-committee in Loughrea; whether he is aware this old man is an invalid and confined to his room for over a dozen years; that all his family, with the exception of one boy, were obliged to emigrate to America, and that this boy is in bad health and absolutely unable to render any help to his father; whether he is aware that Shaughnessy's sole and whole means of maintenance comes from a rough and useless mountainous holding at a rent of £10 a year, which carries two yearling cattle and one calf, bringing him in not more than 4s. or 5s. a week; and, having regard to all the circumstances of this case, if he will communicate with the Local Government Board and see that this applicant is awarded a pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWilliam Shaughnessy appealed against the decision of the pension sub-committee allowing him a pension of only 1s. a week, but the Local Government Board disallowed the pension. The pension officer has recently appealed 492 against the decision of the committee on a further claim by Shaughnessy, granting him a pension of 5s. a week, and the Board are at present making inquiries into the means and age of the claimant.
§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (for Mr. P. White)asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the reason why James Beggy, Orristown, Kells, county Meath, was disqualified for an old age pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELL.The pension in this case was disallowed by the Local Government-Board on the ground that Beggy's means exceeded the statutory limit.
§ Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (for Mr. Duffy)asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Martin Connolly, of New Sunnagh, Loughrea, applied for and was awarded a pension of 5s. a week by the Loughrea sub-committee; whether he is aware that this man's holding is rented at £1 16s. 6d. yearly, and that his mountain holding is grazed in common by sons who are working mechanics and living away from their father's home; whether he is aware that his entire stock consists of a cow, calf, yearling, and a little tillage, with some money in bank intended for the settlement of his two daughters; and whether, in view of the fact that this aged veteran has no more than 3s. a week coming in to him from all sources, he will call the attention of the Local Government Board to his application so as to bring him the assistance he is entitled to in his old age?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe claimant has made statements to the effect indicated in the question. His case is at present under the consideration of the Local Government Board, and inquiries are being made as to his circumstances.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that Michael Kelly, of Clontyclay, county Armagh, has been refused an old age pension on appeal by the Local Government Board for Ireland on the ground that, he had received poor relief; whether he is aware that Kelly was twice granted a pension by the Armagh Rural (North) Pension Sub-Committee after careful investigation of the case; whether he is aware that Kelly, who never applied for poor relief, was sent to the Armagh workhouse infirmary by the dispensary medical officer for medical treatment and was located in the infirm ward of the workhouse simply because of the temporarily con- 493 gested state of suitable infirmary wards, and left the institution as soon as he was well enough to do so; whether this case differs in any essential particular from the case of Andrew Jenkins, which was before the Local Government Board in March last, and to whom the Local Government Board allowed a pension on 8th April, 1909; and whether he will, in the circumstances, remove the disqualification in the case of Michael Kelly?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe statements made by the hon. Member in regard to this case are now being made the subject of local inquiry by the Local Government Board, and if the facts are as alleged, a claim for pension will be favourably considered. The case is not the same as that of Andrew Jenkins as there was no question in that case of chronic infirmity, the patient having been admitted to the workhouse suffering from influenza.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of issuing some Memorandum or Return for the information of old age pension committees, summarising the various decisions given in doubtful cases in Ireland under the Old Age Pensions Act similar to the Circular issued by the Local Government Board in England?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board for Ireland issued circulars on 15th and 30th December last corresponding to those issued by the Local Government Board for Engalnd on 11th December and 16th April last, to which the hon. Member presumably refers. I am sending copies of the Irish circulars to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWWould it be possible to have them in the form of a Parliamentary Paper?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will consider that.