§ 78. Mr. F. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Patrick Mulhern, of Derriniskey, Arigna, county Roscommon, was on several occasions granted an old age pension by the local sub-committee, Boyle, but on appeal by the pension officer it was disallowed on the ground that Mulhern had spent a term in America; and whether, having regard to the fact that he is over seventy-one years of age, and always had his home in Ireland, and only visited the United States periodically for the purpose of earning money, all of which he expended on his home, and being now a poor man, he will be granted the pension and arrears?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe facts are not as stated in the question, as Patrick Mulhern, the man referred to, was in the United States from 1870 until 1912, with the exception of about two years, 1883–5, and there is no evidence that he supported any dependant in Ireland, within the past twenty years. In the circumstances, under the Old Age Pensions Acts, no pension is allowable.