§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary on what grounds Michael Mahon, Pound Road, Granard, Thomas Walker, Tully, Coolarty, and Bridget Reynolds, Cartroncard, Coolarty, have been deprived of an old age pension, not-withstanding the fact that the ages of Walker and Reynolds have been vouched for as seventy-two and seventy-four respectively, by an older person who is over eighty years of age, and will he direct further inquiry to be held into these cases with a view to their being given the pension which is their lawful due?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have not received any appeal in the case of Michael Mahon, and they have therefore no information as to why he has not received a pension. The Board disallowed Thomas Walker's' pension in 1681W February, 1910. His name did not appear in the Census Return of his parents' family in 1841, and his age was recorded as being only five years in 1851, and no other satisfactory evidence was produced. He has made a fresh claim which the Board are at present investigating. Bridget Reynolds' claim was twice disallowed in 1909 on the ground that she participated in outdoor relief granted to her husband. There was no evidence as to her age. If she considers that she is now eligible for a pension it is open to her to make a fresh claim.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of Margaree Looney (district Ennis, station Kilkee, number in pension officer's register 3779), who was in the enjoyment of an old age pension for eight months, but who was deprived of the pension on the grounds of there being no documentary evidence of age, the Local Government Board will reconsider the claim and give due weight to the report of the pension committee and the evidence which is available of at least five respectable old men who have known applicant since childhood, and who are prepared to certify that she is well over seventy years of age?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe case of Margaret Looney has been three times before the Local Government Board, who on each occasion have given due consideration to all the evidence submitted. They are not empowered to reconsider their decision.
§ Mr. O'SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Julia Sullivan, of Shenagh, in the sub-district of Headford, county Kerry, has been deprived of the old age pension, although having complied with the provisions of the Act in every respect regarding the question of age; and whether, having regard to the fact that the pension committee states that she is clearly entitled to a pension, he will see that the case be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board upheld the Pension Officer's appeal against the decision of the Killarney Pension Sub-committee to continue Mrs. Sullivan's pension, on the ground that she had not reached the statutory age, her name not appearing in the Census Return of her parents' family in 1841, and no other satisfactory evidence being produced. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision.
1682W
§ Mr. THOMAS SMYTHasked the Chief Secretary why it is that Peter Reilly, of Bohey, Drumlish pension district, county Leitrim, in the Mohill Sub-pension Committee, has been refused an old age pension by the pension officer, although granted to him by the Pension Committee, considering that he was seventy years of age last June; that he has only a small farm of bad land, which is worked for him by his son as the applicant is unable to do any work himself; and if the Local Government Board will authorise the pension officer to give this man the pension, considering the circumstances of his case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board disallowed Reilly's claim as they considered that the profits of the farm in his occupation exceeded £31 10s. per annum. It is not open to the Board to authorise the pension officer to give Reilly a pension.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he could state the grounds on which Mrs. Honor Donoghue, of Castle-park, near Kilmihil, West Clare, was deprived of an old age pension which she had enjoyed for some months; and whether the Local Government Board will reconsider its decision, and consider not only the testimony of old residents of the district, but the opinion of the pension officer who has looked into the evidence?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board, having regard to the testimony and opinion referred to, instituted a special search with the result that the family of Mrs. Donoghue's parents was traced in the Census Returns of both 1841 and 1851. In the former her name did not appear, and in the latter her age was recorded as being five years. It, therefore, appeared that she was yet unborn in June, 1841, and is still under seventy years of age. As no other satisfactory evidence was produced as to her age the Board accordingly upheld the appeal of the Pension Officer.