§ Mr. MAURICE HEALY (for Mr. John Murphy)asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that pension officers in Killarney and various other districts throughout the country were raising objections against pensioners who passed as eligible for pensions nine months ago on foot of Census Returns, which were cleanly incorrect and unreliable; whether they were being assisted in their efforts to deprive Irish pensioners of their allowances by the Irish Local Government Board; whether he was aware that local pension committees were largely disregarded by both pension officers and the Local Government Board; and whether he had made any inquiries on the subject with the view of safeguarding the interests of Irish pensioners and removing the anxiety caused by the recent methods adopted?
§ Mr. CHERRYIt is the duty of the pension officers under the Old Age Pensions Act and the regulations there under to raise questions as to the continuance of pensions in all cases in which they consider that the statutory qualifications do not continue to be fulfilled, and the Local Government Board are bound by law to adjudicate upon the questions so raised. I understand that the observations of the pensions committee on each case are fully considered by the pension officer and the Local Government Board. I am not in a position to judge as to the accuracy or otherwise of the Census Returns, but I would point out that if they have been accepted as evidence to disqualify for pensions, they have, on the other hand, been the means of admitting thousands to the benefit of the Act, who, without such evidence, would have been unable to establish their claims.