§ Mr. O'DOHERTYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what instructions the Local Government Board for Ire- 1582W land acted when they refused an old age pension to Patrick Kerr, of Ballyherin, Carrigart, county Donegal; whether he is aware that this applicant made a complete search in the census and parochial records and that no trace of his age could be found, and that, failing this, he made a statutory declaration, supported by two old age pensioners who knew him all his life, that he was seventy years of age; whether he is aware that the local pension sub-committee had him before them and were fully satisfied that he was qualified and granted full pension, and that the pension officer is unable to produce any evidence to refute these statements; and whether the Local Government Board will be asked to reconsider this case or give their reason for refusing the pension?
§ Mr. DUKEThe facts are as stated. The onus of showing that he is seventy years of age rests upon the claimant. A statement by a claimant or friends that he is seventy years of age is not evidence. This claim was disallowed on the ground that the Local Government Board had no evidence that the claimant had attained the statutory age. This decision having been given the Local Government Board have no power to reconsider it.