asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why an old age pension was refused to Mr. William Doyle, Friars' Hill, Wicklow; if he is aware that the applicant has in support of his claim written statements from two local traders who are over 75 years of age; and whether, in view of this, he will have the case reconsidered with a view to granting the pension.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WICKLOW O.A.P. CLAIM.
This claim was disallowed on the 8th ultimo on the ground of insufficient evidence to show that applicant had attained the age of 70 years. No baptismal certificate was produced and the registration of his marriage was not traced on the particulars supplied. The only evidence towards proof of age was contained in a declaration from two neighbours, who certified that they had known the claimant for over 50 years, and believed him to be over 70 years of age. If the claimant is at any time in a position to produce definite and relevant evidence towards proof of age, it would be open to him to make a new claim and forward it in the ordinary way with the evidence to the Pension Officer, and if the case comes up again on appeal, it would receive careful and sympathetic investigation.
Arising out of that answer, will the Minister say if it is at all possible for an applicant who cannot get his baptismal certificate to get the old age pension? Is there any evidence other than the certificate that will be taken as evidence that the applicant is over 70 years of age?
Pensions have been granted in cases of that kind on several occasions.
I think the Minister will find that none of these were granted recently. The policy of his Department is to turn down every application in cases of that kind.
I have stated in this House that they were granted on several occasions of this kind.