§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the case of John Hynes, of Kilfenora, (district, Ennis; station, Ennistymon: number in pension officer's register, K 147), whose claim for an old age pension was allowed by the pension committee on 4th September, 1909, disallowed by the Local Government Board in October, 1909, and again allowed by the pension committee on 10th March, 1910; whether he was aware that the total income of John Hynes was £5 per annum, being the reservation of a holding of 15 acres in all now owned by his son; and whether the Local Government Board would favourably consider this case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLUnder the agreement referred to the claimant in entitled with his wife to maintenance in a fit and proper 472 manner, and, in the event of dispute, to an annuity of £10 a year to himself and his wife jointly or £5 a year to the survivor, with an allowance of milk, butter and turf and the use of a room. In the circumstances the Local Government Board estimate that the value of the benefits and privileges of maintenance on the farm, which is well stocked and cropped, exceeds £23 12s. 6d. per annum, and they have accordingly allowed a pension of three shillings a week to John Hynes.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked upon what grounds the decision of the local subcommittee that Thomas Fitzsimons, of Butterstream, Navan, county Meath, was entitled to an old age pension has been reversed by the pension officers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the Pension Officer in this case, and disallowed the claim on the ground that there was no evidence that Fitzsimons had reached the statutory age.