asked the Minister for Finance whether he can state the grounds on which the blind pension was stopped from Patrick Murray, Brianbeg, Drumraney, Moate; if he is aware that he resides in a labourer's cottage, and has no other income; that the applicant has been in receipt of the pension since the passing of the original Act; that Murray has furnished doctors' certificates to the effect that he was and is stone blind, and whether he will have payment of pension made forthwith, with the arrears which were withheld since the 6th March, 1925.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - STOPPAGE OF BLIND PENSION.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The pension in this case was discontinued pursuant to the decision given on the 3rd instant on appeal upon a question raised by the pension officer as to whether the pensioner fulfilled the statutory conditions of blindness. One of the Department's medical inspectors made a detailed examination of Mr. Murray's eyesight on the 27th ultimo. He reported that, in his opinion, the pensioner, who was difficult to examine as he would give no assistance, had useful vision, which debarred him from a pension under the statute. Mr. Murray obtained the blind pension at the inception of the Act. The medical certificate of the 15th November last, furnished in connection with the recent appeal, does not state that Mr. Murray is stone blind, but said that he was in the same condition as he had been four years previously, and was incapable of doing anything for himself, as his eyesight was so bad. In view of the facts, as certified by the Department's inspector, it is regretted that the pension cannot be restored.
Is the Minister aware that the applicant can supply doctors' certificates to the effect that he is stone blind? This man did not receive a pension. He was not all attention to the inspector, and the inspector turned down his claim because he was not all apologies to him. The man's sister is only getting 14/- a week, home help, and she is also blind. These two people have to live on the county, and the Minister refuses to give this man his right. Will the Minister consider fresh evidence in his case?
The medical inspector has a very precise method of ascertaining whether a person is blind or not, and his decision in a particular case is final. I am not prepared to accept representations from local doctors who have not the same qualifications to judge those cases as the medical inspector, who is a specialist in this matter, has.
Does it not fulfil the requirements of the Act if a person is sufficiently blind so as not to be able to follow his usual occupation?
That is not the exact wording of the Act. He must be so blind as to prevent him doing any work for which sight is necessary.
Is this man in that position?
No; he is not so blind.
This man has not done a day's work for eight years. The Minister now refuses to give him his right, and this is supposed to be a democratic Government.
Many a man did not do a day's work for eight years, whose eyes are very far from being closed.