asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the grounds on which an old age pension of 9s. per week, awarded to Mrs. Anne Miley, James's Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, by the Naas South Pensions Committee on the 12th October, 1925, was refused; further, whether he is aware that her sister, Mrs. Mary Collatin, Thomastown, Caragh, Naas, is in receipt of an old age pension for the last five years, although it is stated she is only two years older than Mrs. Miley, and whether, in view of this fact, he will make further investigations in the case, as the claimant believes she is seventythree years old.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NEWBRIDGE O.A.P. CLAIM.
This claim was disallowed on appeal on the 11th ultimo, on the ground of insufficient evidence to show that the claimant had attained the age of seventy years. Her baptismal certificate was not produced. She was recorded as 21 years of age at her marriage on the 14th February, 1882, the husband being recorded as 22 years old. There was a declaration from her brother-in-law to the effect that his wife was in receipt of the pension for six years and was two years older than the claimant. A neighbour also testified that the claimant was, in her opinion, over 70 years. The evidence was, however, held not to be sufficiently conclusive to override the marriage record.
Is the Minister aware that it is believed that the register of births has been destroyed in Dublin lately? In the case of the award of a pension to the sister, you had the sister's birth certificate, but in the present case the birth certificate could not be got, because it was destroyed. Will the Minister make further investigations with a view to granting this poor woman a pension? I believe that she is over seventy years of age.
If there is any further evidence brought forward the case will be opened up again.
It is very difficult to get evidence.
What further evidence ought to be got? Has an affidavit been submitted yet?
No affidavit, of a kind that we consider amounts to evidence, has been submitted.
What does the Minister mean by that?
Will the Minister say whether an applicant ever becomes seventy years of age officially?
It is very difficult to say that an applicant is seventy years of age without having some proof of age submitted.
I strongly appeal to the Minister to give this case consideration, anyway.