asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state why the claim of Christopher Connor, Bagenalstown, for a blind pension, was disallowed; whether he is aware that the applicant was discharged from the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, unimproved, and whether it is proposed to reconsider this claim with a view to granting a pension.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BLIND PENSION CLAIM (BAGENALSTOWN).
EAMON O DUBHGHAILL
This claim was disallowed on the 30th March last. A detailed examination of the claimant's eyesight was made on the 20th March last by one of the Department's medical inspectors. On consideration of the medical evidence, including the inspector's report, it was held that the claimant did not fulfill the statutory condition of blindness and was not eligible for the blind pension. The document from the Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, deals with the state of the eyesight of the claimant when a patient in that institution in April, 1913, whereas the inspector's report shows the condition of the man's sight in March last. It is regretted that, in view of the facts as certified by the medical inspector, the decision cannot be reconsidered or the pension granted.