§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked why an old ago pension has been refused to Mrs. Fanny Gallagher, Carrick, Boyle, Derrybeg, county Donegal, whose name is not found is the Census returns of 1841 or 1851 but whose attainment of the statutory age was sworn to by Mr. Owen Boyle, Loughna moran, Crolly, who at the time of his death was himself 100 years of age, as well as by other old people in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIn January, 1909, the Local Government Board confirmed the decision of the Dunfanaghy Pension Subcommittee disallowing Fanny Gallagher's claim for a pension, on the ground that there was no evidence of her having reached the statutory age.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Chief Secretary if he can state the reasons in each case of the disallowance by the Local Government Board of the old age pensions granted by the Milford (county Donegal) sub-committee on 5th January to Margery Gallagher, Assendoo, Cranford, and Ellen M'Bride, Corragh, Clonballagh, Downings, the latter of whom is bedridden; whether the Local Government Board will send down an inspector to interview the applicants and make inquiries on the spot, seeing that, whilst no documentary evidence of age is procurable in these cases, the members of the sub-committee, who know the applicants, are unanimously of the opinion that they have both reached the statutory age; whether, where documentary evidence is not forthcoming, sworn declarations by responsible persons will be favourably considered by the Local Government Board; and, if not, if he will explain how such applicants can ever hope to obtain an old age pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board upheld appeals of the pension officer against the award of pensions to Margery Gallagher and Ellen McBride on the ground that the claimants had failed to show that they had attained the statutory age. The Board have no authority to reopen the cases by sending an inspector to visit the claimants, as suggested. Sworn declarations or any other evidence submitted in support of a claim are always 229W duly considered by the Board. Ellen McBride was recorded in the Census Return of 1851 as being nine years old.
§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Michael Maloney, of Lackagh, Drumfin, county Sligo, some two years ago applied to the Riverstown, county Sligo, pension subcommittee for a pension, which was allowed him at the rate of 5s.per week, and that afterwards the Local Government Board reduced such pension by 2s.per week; whether he is aware that this man's sole income is £12 per year, paid in monthly instalments by his son; and, if so, whether this man's claim to the maximum will be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Riverstown pension sub-committee awarded Michael Maloney a pension of 5s. a week, but on appeal by the pension officer, who considered that he was not entitled to any pension, the Local Government Board determined that he was entitled to a pension of 3s. a week. In coming to this decision the Board had regard to the value of the maintenance and other privileges which the claimant enjoyed on a farm which he had transferred to his son.
§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that Mary Murphy, of Lugnaskeehan, Dromahair, county Leitrim, was granted an old age pension of 5s. per week in 1910, but on appeal by the pension officer it was reduced to 4s. per week, on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that she is living with her son Francis, who makes her a living allowance out of the profits of a small farm, and has no means of her own, she will be granted the full pension, with all arrears?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMary Murphy was granted a pension of 4s. a week by the Manorhamilton pension sub-committee on 17th December, 1908. On 21st December, 1910, after making a transfer of her holding to her son, she applied for an increase to 5s. a week, which the sub-committee allowed; but on appeal the Local Government Board held that there had been no change in her circumstances to justify the increase asked for.