asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that Miss Catherine Loughlin, of Feighcullen, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, who is living with and dependent on her sister, who is an old-age pensioner with a pension of 9/- per week, has had her blind pension of 10/- per week withdrawn since November 1st, 1924, and whether, as this woman is sixty years of age and is almost totally blind and deaf, and unable to work, he will have her case reconsidered with a view to having her pension restored.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BLIND PENSION WITHDRAWN.
Miss Loughlin was in receipt of a pension, under the Blind Persons Act, granted to her in April, 1921. A question raised by the Pension Officer last Autumn as to whether she fulfilled the statutory condition of blindness was before the local Pension Committee on the 4th November last. That body allowed the question, and thereby cancelled the pension. Miss Loughlin appealed against that decision, and the case came to me for determination. The Department's Medical Inspector examined the woman's eyesight on the 30th ultimo, and his report showed that on her standard of vision she is not eligible for the blind pension. Her appeal must, therefore, it is regretted, be rejected.
Is the Minister aware that this woman is living with and dependent on her sister, who has an old-age pension but who has no other means?
When the Inspector visited this lady she was out by herself driving in a pony and trap, a fact which is sufficient to show that she is not completely blind. I am aware that the lady is in poor circumstances. She is 66 years of age, and is a case deserving of relief but does not come under the provisions of this particular Act.
Does the horse know the way, I wonder?