§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the pension officer and the Local Government Board refused an old age pension to Mrs. Shine, of Finol, Ballyhahill, county Limerick, who has been an invalid for over two years, having regard to the fact that the local pension committee granted it to her on 1645W production of a statement from the parish priest that she was over seventy years, and also on that of the oldest inhabitants of the district who knew her since her childhood; and whether, as her birth certificate cannot be obtained he will direct the pension officer to inquire fully into her case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMrs. Shine's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal as she was unable to produce any satisfactory evidence of age, and she could not obtain a baptismal or birth certificate. When deciding her case the Board had before them statements from the parish priest and other persons as to the claimant's age, but, as these were merely expressions of opinion unsupported by any evidence, they could not accept them as sufficient proof that she was over seventy years of age.