Dr. O'NEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state why the Local Government Board refused to confirm the old age pension granted to James M'Keown, of Tullywinnie, Camlough, county Armagh, by the Newry Pension Sub-committee on the 2nd May, 1912?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis man's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that his yearly means exceed £31 10s.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Michael and Mary Dowd, of Ardabane, Keel, Castlemaine, have recently been deprived of their pensions on the ground of means, although they only own the grass of one cow, and their married son, to whom they gave their land, the grass of five; and will he state on what grounds the Local Government Board hold that people so circumstanced are disqualified?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe pensions of these two persons were disallowed by the Local 993W Government Board in January last on the ground of their yearly means exceeding the statutory limit. In the following month (February) the husband handed over his farm to his son, reserving only the grass of a cow and a room for himself and his wife and a small plot of ground. Fresh claims on behalf of both were made, and these claims were again disallowed by the Board, having regard to the terms of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908.