§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the old age pension which had been paid during three and a-half years to John M'Neela, of Bally garden, Fisherhill, Castlebar, was discontinued in June last, although his only income was derived from a holding of land the annual valuation of which was £3 15s. per year; and. why M'Neela has not been informed of the reason, if any, for its discontinuance?
§ Mr. SAMUELSOn the 20th June, 1917, the. Local Government Board determined, on a question raised by the pension officer, that this pensioner was not en titled to any pension, on the ground that his means exceeded £31 10s. a year. He employed a solicitor to ask the Board the reasons for the appeal, and a reply to the solicitor's letter was sent on the 24th July, 1917.
§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Local Government Board have not yet announced their decision on an appeal lodged over a year ago by Margaret M'Neela, of Ballygarden, Fisherhill, Castlebar, against a decision of the Castlebar pension sub-committee, awarding her only 2s. per week as old age pension, or why the claimant has received no notice of it from the Board?
§ Mr. SAMUELSThe Local Government Board gave their decision in this case on the 6th March, 1917. It was duly communicated to the clerk of the local pensions sub-committee whose duty it was to notify the claimant of the decision. No pension was allowed, as the Board estimated that claimant's means exceeded £31 10s. a year.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the application of Patrick M'Closkey, of Derrylaconnell, Doochary, county Donegal, for an old age pension has been refused, seeing that this man is in very poor circumstances and claims to have been born in the year 1845?
§ Mr. SAMUELSThis case does not appear to have come before the Local Government Board.