asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state under what circumstances an old age pension was refused to Mrs. Ellen Foy, of Kilgeever, Kilsallagh, Westport.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSIONS CLAIM (WESTPORT).
This claim was disallowed on appeal on the 16th of December last on the ground that I was not satisfied on the evidence submitted that the claimant fulfilled the statutory condition as to residence. The claimant admitted that she spent the following periods in America:—
(1) From June, 1912, to August, 1919—7 years and 2 months.
(2) From July, 1921, to August, 1926—5 years and 1 month.
Total—12 years and 3 months.
She attained the age of 50 years on the 6th of November, 1904. Following that date she had, therefore, resided at home for only an aggregate period of 9 years and 6 months when she claimed a pension immediately on her last return in August, 1926. This is short of the period of residence required by statute, viz., twelve years after reaching the age of 50 years.