§ 30. Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Kate O'Connell, of Ardagh, Causeway, county Kerry, applied for and was granted an old age pension of 5s. per week by the Tralee pension sub-committee from 29th August, 1913; whether an appeal was lodged, which was upheld by the Local Government Board, on the question of means; and whether he can state what are the means of living this woman has other than the £10 per year allowed to her under an agreement by her son, William O'Connell, on which she has to maintain and clothe herself?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis woman was granted a pension by the sub-committee, which was disallowed on appeal by the Local Government Board. She was maintained by her son, who has a good farm of forty Irish acres, which is extensively tilled and carries fifteen cows and other stock. The privileges enjoyed by her were estimated to be over the statutory limit, and, as she surrendered these privileges for the sum of £10 a year, it was held that the terms of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 applied, and, accordingly, the Board decided that she was not entitled to a pension.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman did not voluntarily surrender the privileges referred to, and that she is now compelled to live on the grant of £10 a year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot help it. I am quite sure that the law was absolutely complied with in this case.