asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why old age pensions have been withheld from Messrs. Edward Murphy, New Lane, Wexford, John Murphy, King Street, Wexford, and John Byrne, Monck Street, Wexford.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WEXFORD OLD AGE PENSIONS WITHHELD.
The first claim was disallowed because the applicant did not furnish conclusive evidence of age. His baptismal certificate was not produced, and although he was twice married the certificate of either marriage was not supplied. It was not possible, therefore, to have a search made for his marriage age in the records of the Registrar-General. Affidavits purporting to prove age as over 70 were submitted. Mention was not made therein of any relevant facts in claimant's life history, such as the date of marriage of his parents, and his position amongst the children, especially as compared with a younger brother or sister whose age was established, or even the date or place of either of his two marriages.
The other cases mentioned by the Deputy are claimants to blind pension, not the old age pension. Decisions have not yet been given. The appeals recently received have been referred to the medical inspector as to the eyesight of the claimants.
Is the Minister aware that of these cases, two of the latter for blind pensions have been running on since last November, and will he expedite them?
I will refer the matter to the Minister for Local Government.