§ Mr. THOMAS F. SMYTHasked the Chief Secretary why it is that the old age pension has been taken from the following old ago pensioners, all of whom reside in the Ballinamore sub-pension district, county Leitrim, namely, John Logan, Garradice; James M'Partland, Drumbrick, Deradda; Catherine Logan, Stroke, Deradda; Mary Farrell, Garradice; Ellen Prior, Deradda; Patrick Walshe, Deradda; Anne Fox, Drumcullion, Garradice; Patrick Flynn, Glebe, Garradice; Francis M'Kiernan, Deradda; Bridget Prior, Lisroughty, Garradice; Bridget Creamer, Curraghnawall, Deradda; John Campbell, Glebe, Garradice; Patrick M'Govern, Drumgownah, Deradda; Anne M'Govern, Knox, Garradice; Bridget M'Kiernan, Deradda; James Martin, Greyagh, Deradda; Bridget Creamer, Drumgownagh, Deradda; Ellen Gilheaney, Currandal, Deradda; Owen M'Govern, Kiltyereevagh, Deradda; Patrick Prior, Kiltyhugh, Deradda; James Dolan, Glebe, Garradice; Catherine Honeyman, Glebe, Garradice; Catherine Cannon, Glebe, Garradice; and Bridget Meehan, Curralehan, Deradda; whether any of whom are in absolute poverty; whether an inspector will be sent to investigate the cases, as all the parties were in receipt of the pension, which was granted to them by the Ballinamore sub-pension committee, and from the great number of these old people the pension was stopped in August last; and whether, in this particular pension district, the pensions officer was prejudiced in any way against those whose pensions have been taken from them?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLThe case of James Dolan cannot be identified. Bridget Meehan's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board in March, 1909, and does not appear to have since come before them. So far as they are aware she has never been in receipt of a pension. In each of the twenty-two remaining cases, the pension was disallowed on the ground that the pensioner was under the statutory age. Pensions will not be restored to these persons so long as they do not fulfil the statutory condition as to age. In the event of any case coming again before the Board on appeal, an inspector will be sent to visit the claimant, if the Board require further information. Pension officers are not under my control, but as the persons mentioned were not entitled to pensions, I see no reason for believing that the pension officer had any feeling when raising the questions beyond a desire to discharge his duty honestly.
§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the Local Government Board have disallowed the application of George Cronyn, Caherleske, Callan, county Kilkenny; whether he is aware that the local pension officer declared the applicant was entitled to a weekly pension of 2s.; that the sub-committee of the local pension committee declared the applicant was entitled to the full pension; that on appeal to the Local Government Board it was decided to grant no pension to the applicant, notwithstanding the fact that the local pension officer declared the annual income of the applicant did not exceed £27 10s.; and whether he will take steps to revive the pension to which he is entitled?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated. The Local Government Board, however, are not bound by the pension officer's-opinion, and they estimated that George Cronyn's means exceeded the statutory limit. As he has never been entitled to a pension the question of revising it does not arise.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked on what basis of calculation the pension officer and Local Government Board has allowed only 2s. per week to Pat Maher, of Reenavana, Doon, county Limerick; and, if the applicant will make an application to the old age pension committee for the full payment, will the Local Government Board be prepared to reconsider their decision in this case?
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§ Mr. BIRRELLPatrick Maker's pension was reduced to 2s. a week in July, 1910, on a question raised by the pension officer as Maher's means exceeded £26 5s. a year. There are crops of potatoes and hay on his farm of twelve acres, besides five cows, two calves, pigs, and fowls. In the absence of evidence as to his present circumstances the Local Government Board are unable to state what view they would take in the event of his raising a question for the increase of his pension to 5s. a week.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked on what grounds the Local Government Board refused a pension to Thomas Ryan, of Farnane Franklin, Cappamore, county Limerick; is he aware that Ryan only holds thirty perches of ground with a small house; that the applicant has six sons, all of whom are hard-working and industrious, and who, two years ago, made up £200 from their hard earnings to buy a small farm, the rent of which was £5, the purchase money being paid by one Thomas Buckley, Ryan's son-in-law; is it on the grounds that Ryan, the applicant, is in possession of this bit of land that his claim has been rejected; and, in view of the fact that this man and various others connected with the sale of this farm are prepared to swear on oath that the place was purchased by the children and son-in-law, and that it could in no way be construed to have anything to do with his claim for pension, will steps be taken to have this case reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThomas Ryan's claim was disallowed on the ground that the Local Government Board were not satisfied that his means did not exceed £31 10s. a year. He owns a smithy and a carpenter's shop, and is reported to have also dealt in cattle. The Board, moreover, were not satisfied on the evidence that the farm recently purchased belong to Ryan's sons. On the last occasion on which his claim was investigated the pension officer reported that Ryan refused to show him the deed relating to the purchase of the farm or the Land Commission receivable orders. In these circumstances, there seems to be no reason for the Board to reconsider their decision, even if they had the power.