asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if and when he received an application for an old age pension from Thomas McGrath, Knockaroo, Borris-in-Ossory, Leix; whether he was furnished with a sworn statement in support of claimant's age, and if he will state the grounds, if any, upon which he declines to sanction payment of pension.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LAOIGHIS OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.
This claim was disallowed on appeal on the 10th ultimo on the ground of insufficient evidence of age. The claimant did not produce his baptismal certificate. Two sworn statements were received in support of his claim, but they were not considered sufficiently relevant and definite to justify a favourable decision. He was notified on the 20th of September last of the appeal but he took no further steps to substantiate his claim.
Are we to understand that in the case of future applicants for old age pensions it will be useless for them to go to the trouble and expense of procuring sworn statements, and are we to understand, further, that the Minister takes the opinion of his own local inspector as against the statements of reliable local people?
I will have to be the final judge as to what is relevant and what is sufficient evidence. In this case it was stated that the claimant had spent some time in the British Army, and when he was asked for particulars in regard to his services he refused to give any which would enable us to ascertain definitely what his age was.
Will the Minister reply to the second part of my supplementary question? Is he prepared to take the opinion of his local or general inspector as against the sworn statement of the other two people who know the applicant?
I am prepared to administer the Act as it is intended to be administered.
I think that this is a matter that the Minister should clear up. This is not the first case that has come under my notice. Are we to understand definitely that the Minister, or his inspectors, or officials, will not take as reliable sworn statements from local people who state that they know an applicant to be over 70 years of age?
Such persons must quote relevant facts. They must substantiate their sworn testimony.