§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, the reasons why the Local Government Board sustained the appeal of the pension officer against the award by the local pension sub-commttee of a penson at the rate of 5s. per week to Mrs. Alice Murphy, of Collooney; and whether he will direct special inquiry into this case in view of the unanimous decision of the committee in applicant's favour?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe appeal of the penson, officer in this case was upheld on the ground that the claimant was unable to furnish sufficient evidence of having reached the statutory age. The Local Government Board have no power to reopen consideration of the case.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked upon what evidence the Local Government Board reversed the decision of the Fermanagh old age pension committee sitting at Kesh, county Fermanagh, on 24th November, 1911, awarding a pension of 5s. weekly to Mary Timlin, of Ballynant, Kesh, county Fermanagh; whether some years ago the late Dr. Baptist Graham certified that claimant was older than he; that as they were reared beside each other he remembered her when he was a boy; that she was older than he, and that at the time of giving the certificate he was seventy-one years old; that such certificate signed by Dr. Graham was sent by Mrs. Timlin to the Local Government Board on an appeal some years ago by her against the decision of the then committee; whether at the meeting of the committee on 24th November last Mr. James Aiken, merchant and postmaster at Kesh, went before the committee and gave evidence that he knew Mary Timlin when hired with a relative of his and when she was fourteen years old; that at the time he was giving evidence he was seventy-six years old and that the claimant was at least seventy-five; and seeing that the only question is one of age, and there being no suggestion that the claimant is not of full qualifying age, the Local Government Board can see their way to send one of their inspectors to investigate the case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts generally are as set out in the question. The pension officer reported to the Local Government Board that on questioning Dr. Graham further the latter stated he was not sure whether Mary Timlin was younger or older than himself. Claimant was not born in 1841, according to the Census Records of 530 her parents' family; and the statements made by Dr. Graham and Mr. Aiken could not be accepted as being sufficient to prove that she was of the statutory age. The claim has been disallowed by the Board, and they have no power to reopen the case.
§ Mr. MEAGHERasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Castlecomer old age pension subcommittee have had before them the claim of a Mrs. Mary M'Donald for an old age pension; that the committee, having a local knowledge of the case and after full inquiry, considered that the claimant was. entitled to the full pension of 5s., and allowed the same to her; whether he is aware that the pension officer calculated the means of the said claimant at £34, and had not recommended her for the pension, and appealed against the decision of the committee, and that the Local Government Board on 26th February decided that the claimant was not entitled to any pension; and, seeing that this woman's husband died intestate, and she having four children whose labours on the farm have helped to keep it from being sold, and who are by law entitled to two-thirds of the father's property, she being entitled to but one-third, he will see that the circumstances of the case be reviewed, with a view to have the law as regards intestacy observed, and that she be granted the full pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts generally are as stated in the first part of the question. It appeared, however, that Mrs. McDonald was the actual occupier of the farm, and that it was purchased in her name under the Land Purchase Acts. Her claim for pension was accordingly disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal, and the Board have now no power to reopen the case.
§ Mr. MEAGHERasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will explain in what manner the Local Government Board calculated the means of Mrs. Norah Kenny, of Ballylinnen, in the Castlecomer subcommittee district, through which calculation they decided the above-named woman was not entitled to a pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe decision of the Local Government Board in this case was based on the size and nature of the farm on which claimant resided, and on the number of stock and the extent of the tillage As the claim has been disallowed 531 the documents are not now in the Board's possession, and the exact circumstances cannot be stated.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a pension was granted by the local pension committee to Mrs. Kate Lavery, of Herbertstown, county Limerick, and that an appeal was lodged by the pension officer; and, if so, will he say on what grounds; and will the statements made by the officer in Ms appeal form be furnished to the local pension committee, so that the latter may be able to see if there has been any alteration made in the statements made before the committee when the claim was passed, and then going to the Local Government Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAn appeal was made to the Local Government Board against the pension granted to Mrs. Lavery on the grounds that her means exceeded the statutory limit. The pension officer made no statement on his appeal form regarding claimant's means other than what was placed before the pension sub-committee.