§ Mr. FITZGIBBONasked the Chief Secretary on what grounds the widow, Bridget Coffry, of Augasterane, parish of Aughamore, County Mayo, was not granted an old age pension; what was the basis the Local Government Board adopted for estimating her income; and if he will ascertain why such a decision was arrived at, notwithstanding that the pension officer approved of a pension of 4s. granted by the Kilkelly Sub-committee?
§ Mr. BIRRELLBridget Coffry's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that her means exceeded the statutory limit. She lives with her son-in-law on a fairly good farm of twenty-seven acres, which carries seven head of cattle in addition to sheep, pigs, and fowl, and part of which is under potatoes, oats, roots, and cabbages. It appears she assigned the farm to her son-in-law in the early part of last year, reserving to herself certain considerations; but, in any event, the value of the maintenance and privileges derived by her from the farm were, in the Board's opinion, worth more than £31 10s. a year. The Board were not bound by the pension officer's estimate of her means.