HC Deb 28 February 1912 vol 34 cc1502-3W
Mr. SCANLAN

asked on what evidence the Local Government Board disallowed the pension granted to Dominick Friel, Barnaderrig, Drumcliff, county Sligo, at the rate of 5s. per week and reduced this amount to 1s. per week?

Mr. BIRRELL

The claimant was in possession of a well-stocked farm, part of it under tillage, the remainder being used for grazing. His means did not appear to entitle him to a pension of more than 1s, a week, and accordingly his application for an increase of his pension to 5s. a week was refused.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds Mrs. Margaret Casey, of Glensharrold, Ardagh, county Limerick, did not receive an old age pension of 5s. a week, having regard to the fact that she has only eleven and a-half acres, I.P.M., of cut-away bog, the valuation of which is £1 5s., and four cows and a horse, for which she has to buy hay; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take steps to see that she gets a full pension?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal, and allowed a pension of 3s. only as it appeared that claimant's means exceeded £23 12s. 6d. a year. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of the case.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the Local Government Board refused an old age pension to John O'Brien, of Tenekilla, Ballyahill, in the county of Limerick, although the Glin sub-committee awarded him 5s. per week, from the fact that he had 18½ acres of land, the valuation of which is £8 17s. 6d., and premises valued at £1 10s., with eight cows and one horse, which he assigned to his son on marriage for £180 with an annuity of £13; whether, as the pension officer awarded him 2s. a week, he will explain why the Local Government Board refused him the pension altogether; and whether he will now be awarded the 5s. a week if he again applies for it?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board considered that John O'Brien's means exceeded £31 10s. a year, and they have no power to reopen consideration of the case.