§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he will explain why the Local Government Board values the income of claimants for old age pensions upon the area and carrying power of farms assigned away by them, as in the case of Cornelius Dinneen, of Rathduane, Millstreet; why the Local Government Board disregards totally the actual sources of maintenance specifically reserved by them in the deed of conveyance; whether he is aware that this is a valuation upon assumptions rather than upon the positive value of the income enjoyed by claimants; is he aware that representations have been made by pension sub-committees in all parts of Ireland protesting against, the assessments made by pension officers and sanctioned by the Local Government Board; and what steps, if any, does he propose to take to set up a more reasonable standard of assessment for maintenance in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have to take into consideration, not only the nominal "income," both in money and in kind, of claimants, but also the yearly value of any benefits or privileges enjoyed by them. When satisfied that the assignment of a farm does not come within the prohibition of Section 41208W (3) of the Act of 1908, they have regard, among other considerations, to the area and carrying power of the farm, as these factors appear to afford the best indication of the means, including benefits and privileges, of the claimants. As regards the claim of Cornelius Dinneen referred to, the evidence in this case showed that he transferred to his son on marriage a well-tilled farm of sixty-three acres, carrying twenty-two head of cattle in addition to a horse, pigs and fowl. The Board do not sanction the assessments made by the pension officers; they make their own calculations in each case. Representations against these decisions have from time to time been received. There is no power to interfere with the exercise of the discretion vested in the Board by Statute.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Killarney old age pensions sub-committee at their meeting on the 8th March allowed the claim of Mrs. Julia Coakley, of Rath-more, and held that she is entitled to a pension of 5s. per week; whether any appeal has been entered by the pension officer, if so, upon what grounds; and whether the Local Government Board will consider the actual sources of income possessed by Mrs. Coakley and not entertain assumptions of value which have no foundation in fact?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAn appeal has been received in this case on the grounds that Mrs. Coakley's means exceed the statutory limit. When the necessary documents are received the Local Government Board will duly consider all the evidence submitted as to the claimant's means.