§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) why Bernard Rider, of Aghakeeran, North Longford, has been deprived of his old age pension; is he aware that this man is in a very poor state, much poorer now than when he first got the pension; will the pension officer be directed to again inquire into this case with a view to the restoration of a pension at once; (2) why Terence Reilly, Carrickadorrish, No. 162 on North Longford pen- 1036W sion committee list, has been deprived of his pension after enjoying the same for some years; whether he is aware that all the fresh facts obtained by the local committee in this man's case strengthened his claim to the pension; will the same now be restored to him; (3) if he will state the facts which led to James Sexton, of Aughamore. North Longford, No. 152 on the sub-pension committee's list, being deprived of his old age pension; whether he is aware that the local pension committee asked the pension officer to give the facts on which he founded his objection, but that officer declined to do so; and whether he is aware that this man's means have rather declined than increased since he first got his pension; will he direct its immediate restoration to him; and (4) the reasons why Catherine Brady, Aghakeeran, county Longford (No. 491 on pension committee list), Bernard Harnian, Carrickadorrish (No. 654 on pension committee list), Mary Harnian, Carrickadorrish (No. 776 on pension committee list), and Rose Reilly, Aghacordrinan (No. 672 on pension committee list) have all been deprived of their old age pensions; whether the pension officer declined to furnish the local committee with the facts which led him to object to them; whether he is aware that on examination the local committee put them ail back on the register; and will he direct that their cases be specially inquired into before confirming the pension officer's objection?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am making inquiries in regard to the seven cases mentioned in the lion. Member's four questions, and will inform him of the result in due course.
§ Mr. JOHN PHILLIPSasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will see that Micke Coleman, of Graffogue, parish of Ardagh, County Longford, an old man of seventy-five years of age, and having no means of support, receives an old-age pension, as his brother's family are grown up now and his services are no longer required, nor is he any longer able to earn a livelihood?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMicke Coleman's claim for an old age pension was disallowed on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit, lie is living with and is supported by his brother, to whom he assigned his farm in 1909. The brother has also a farm of his own of about 1037W eighteen acres. The Local Government Board have no power to reopen consideration of this case.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary the names of the members of the Local Government Board who sit in judgment on appeals from local pension officers against the decision of the local pension committees; whether any transcript is kept of their proceedings; how often they sit; and whether it is competent for a person whose pension is at stake to be represented before them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe members of the Local Government Board who from time to time decide appeals are the President, the Vice-President, and Mr. Edmund Bourke, and such other persons as may be deputed to act on behalf of the Vice-President under Section 102 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898. The official records relating to the appeals show the rulings and proceedings of the Board. Appeals are dealt with daily. Any person whose right to a pension is questioned can make representations to the Board either in person, in writing, or through a solicitor or otherwise. Such representations are made in a great many instances and receive most careful consideration. Cases in which any reasonable doubt exists are generally investigated locally by one of the inspectors, who reports on the facts for the information of the Board.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether it is proposed to continue the present process of striking off old age pensioners in receipt of the old age pension on the appeal of the local pension officer without giving the persons so attacked an opportunity of presenting their case before the appellate tribunal; and whether he will arrange in future to send each of them a notice of the case made against them and get their reply before, in every case, striking them off on the statement: of the pension officer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is not, as suggested by the hon. Member, the practice of the Local Government Board to disallow claims for pensions without reference to I the claimant or pensioner as the case may be. In every case, before a decision is given, the person concerned is informed of the objection made to his claim by the pension officer, and is given an opportunity of furnishing such evidence as he considers necessary.
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§ Mr. LUNDONasked whether Catherine Touchstone, of Ballybeg, Kilfinane, county Limerick, applied three years ago for an old age pension; whether evidence as to her being over the required age at that time was given by the local clergy and many other respectable witnesses; on what grounds was her claim refused on that occasion by the Local Government Board; whether she, lodged a claim again last August and had it passed by the local committee and supported by the pension officer, who stated publicly that this woman was, in his opinion, well over seventy years; why, in view of the pension officer's statement and all the other evidence produced, was her claim again rejected; is the Board aware that this applicant is totally blind and unable to do anything; and will the case be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCatherine Touchstone applied for an old age pension in 1909. The only evidence of age submitted by her consisted of unsubstantiated expressions of opinion by the local clergy and others, which could not be considered sufficient proof of her having attained the statutory age. She made a further claim in August last, and the pension officer reported that she appeared to be about seventy years of age. The inspector who investigated her case locally was unable to find any satisfactory evidence that she had reached the statutory age, and the. Local Government Board had therefore no option but to disallow her claim. It is not open to the Board to reconsider her case, but she can apply again.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that indignation exists amongst the members of the old age pension committees of county Longford at the action of the pension officers in dealing with claims passed by these committees; whether in some cases these officers refuse to give the commits tees any reason for their objections to claims passed by the committees; and will he direct that in future these officers attend all meetings of the local pensions committees?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs regards the first paragraph of the question I am making inquiries in regard to certain cases specified in other questions which the hon. Member has put down; and I will do the same in regard to any other cases of which he will give me the necessary particulars. 1039W Pension officers already have instructions to attend the meetings of the local pension committees, if invited to do so for some special reason, and if such attendance would not interfere unduly with the performance of their ordinary duties.