asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state why the application of Marcella Byrne, Thomastown, Naas, Co. Kildare, for an old age pension has been disallowed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.
This claim was disallowed on appeal on the 10th of August last on the ground of insufficient evidence to show that the claimant had attained the age of 70 years.
Arising out of the Minister's answer, although the age of this woman cannot be traced in the register owing to some pages having been torn out there is in the possession of the family an old prayer book which gives the age of every member of the family, except the youngest, with the date of birth. Moreover, the family with which the father of this woman and all her people had been employed are prepared to give evidence in support of her age. Everyone about the place believes that she is about 71 years now.
The only evidence submitted is that referred to by the Deputy, namely, the prayer book. The entry in it would go to show that the claimant should be of full age at the present time, but, unfortunately, the date of the year does not seem to tally with the date registered on the paper.
Would the Minister consider the evidence of the employer with whom these people have been for at least two generations?
A Committee has made recommendations which cover cases such as this. Will the Minister for Finance tell the House if he intends to put these recommendations into effect?
That is a separate question.