§ Mr. HACKETTasked the reasons upon which the Local Government Board refused the full pension to Thomas Hayes, Leigh, Twomileborris, Thurles, county Tipperary, and James Sullivan, Horse and Jockey, Thurles, county Tipperary; and whether the Thurles Sub-pension Committee allowed them the full pension?
§ Mr. BIRRELLBoth these men were in receipt of pensions at a reduced rate, and themselves raised questions that they were entitled to the full pension. The sub-committee granted the full amount, and the pension officer thereupon appealed to the Local Government Board. The Board dismissed the questions raised by the pensioners, as they were not satisfied that the pensioners' yearly means were less than £21.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary the grounds on which the Local Government Board refused the claim of Thomas O'Shea, of Glensharrold, county Limerick, to an old age pension, in view of the fact that six laymen and two Catholice clergymen, all gentlemen of independent standing and integrity, testified that he had reached the statutory age; and, seeing that O'Shea cannot procure his age in the parish registry or from the Census Returns, and that he has produced the best and most independent testimony in his power, will the Local Government Board now again take this man's case into their consideration and grant him the pension to which he is entitled?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis man's case has been before the Local Government Board on three occasions, and the evidence submitted in support of the claim on each occasion has been carefully considered, but the Board were unable to accept it as sufficient to establish that he had reached the statutory age. It is not now open to the Board to reconsider their decision.