asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state why an old age pension has been refused to Mr. Patk. Hinds, Bawn Brakey, Moynalty, Kells, County Meath (No. on Pension Officer's Register, 1920).
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CO. MEATH OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.
Three old age pension claims in this case have been disallowed on the ground that the evidence submitted was not sufficient to show that the claimant had attained the statutory age of 70 years. The last decision was given on the 12th ultimo.
Would the Minister say if affidavits sworn by the brother of the applicant and by some other people in the locality were received by his Department and whether they were considered?
The claimant has not produced his baptismal certificate, but instead of that produced the certificate of the baptism of his brother, Peter, which took place on 22nd April, 1857. He stated he was two years older than his brother Peter. He also produced affidavits from neighbours to corroborate that statement, but he refused to make a sworn declaration himself to that effect—that he was two years older than his brother Peter.
Does the Minister say that he refused to make a sworn declaration that he was two years older than his brother Peter?
Yes.