§ 54. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked whether John Short, of Corracloone, Kiltyclogher, county Leitrim, was deprived of his old age pension on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that he has no means of support but is living with his son, who is the owner of a small farm, the yearly annuity of which is £1 19s. 10d., the Local Government Board would reconsider his case and grant him the pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis claim is at present being investigated by the Local Government Board.
§ 56. Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the local pension committee of Collooney, county Sligo, at its meeting held on the 27th December, 1912, granted a pension of 5s. weekly to Patrick Gilmore, of Tully-beg, parish of Kilross, pension district of Collooney, county Sligo; whether the pension officer, in appealing against the committee's decision, recommended a weekly pension of 3s.; whether the Local Government Board have thrown overboard both the pension committee and the pension officer by refusing the applicant any pension whatever; and, if so, on whose information the Local Government Board acted; and what redress there is for the applicant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated. The Local Government Board formed their own estimate of the claimant's means from the admitted facts as to the 1818 stock and crops on the farm, and as to his circumstances generally. The decision of the Board in respect of this claim is final, but in the event of there being hereafter any change in circumstances, or new facts, it is open to claimant to make a fresh claim.