§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will state the grounds on which the pension officer for the Ballymahon district, county Longford, has objected to an old age pension being granted to John Bacon, of Cluntymullen, county Longford; whether he is aware that, according to the Census Returns for 1851, John Bacon was a boy of eight years on the 1st April of that year, which leaves him fully seventy years of age on 1st April, 1912; and will he direct the pension officer to withdraw his objection now and let this man, who is in very delicate health and has no means, get the pension for the remainder of his days?
§ Mr. BIRRELLJohn Bacon's case has not come before the Local Government Board. If, however, as stated by the hon. Member, Bacon was eight years old on the 1st April, 1851, he would only have been sixty-nine years of age on the 1st April, 1912, and, accordingly, would be ineligible for pension.
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§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether, in the case of John Sheridan, of Drumlish, county Longford, No. 2161 on the register of applicants for the Ballynamuck old age pension committee, who was recommended for a pension for the full amount, the Local Government Board for Ireland had, before refusing the claim, before them the deed of assignment of all his land and effects made to his son Francis on his marriage; and, if not, will they now examine this deed, which has been forwarded to them, and, acting on its terms, reinstate and grant this man's claim?
§ Mr. BIRRELLJohn Sheridan made a claim for pension in December, 1908, which was disallowed on appeal. He subsequently transferred his property to his unmarried son, reserving the right of maintenance for himself, his wife, and daughter. He made a further claim in March, 1909, which came before the Local Government Board on appeal. The Board had the deed of assignment referred to before them when deciding his second claim, but they considered that the provisions of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1908, applied to the case, and accordingly, regarded the property as still being in the possession of the claimant for the purpose of calculating his means under the Act. Sheridan has made a third claim for pension, which is at present under consideration by the Board.