§ 71. Mr. MULDOONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Middleton, county Cork, old age pension committee granted a pension to Jeremiah Leahy, of Wood, Cloyne, and that this claimant was shown to be seventy-nine years of age, and without land, means, or resources; whether, in face of these facts, the Local Government Board declared that the claimant was not entitled to any pension and overruled the local committee who had knowledge of the circumstances; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)The facts are as stated in the question in 433 so far as the grant of the pension and the age of the claimant are concerned, but the hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as regards Jeremiah Leahy's means and resources. Leahy resides on a farm of 43 acres which he assigned to a nephew in February last, reserving maintenance for himself. Nearly half the farm is under cultivation, and carries a good stock of cattle, pigs and fowl, and in the opinion of the Local Government Board the value of the benefits and privileges enjoyed by the claimant is worth more than £31 10s. a year. As the claim has been decided the Board have no power to reopen the case.