asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why his Department disallowed an old age pension in respect of Laurence Williams, Lack, Ballynacally, County Clare.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM (CO. CLARE).
This claim was disallowed on the 28th ultimo on the ground that the claimant did not fulfil the statutory qualification as to nationality.
Mr. HOGAN
Is the Minister aware that this man has resided in Ireland for the past twenty years, and will he state how it is that he has not fulfilled the statutory conditions?
I understand that this is a rather complicated case. This man was a natural-born Dutch subject. He afterwards went to the United States and became an American citizen. In 1906, he came to Ireland, but he never became naturalised in this country and, accordingly, he is not entitled to a pension.
Mr. HOGAN
Does the Minister not see that the position is somewhat anomalous? This man is over 71 years of age. He has been 20 years resident in Ireland and he is in distressed circumstances. Does the Minister not think that the position is an anomalous one if he cannot get the old age pension.
He cannot get it under the Act.
Mr. HOGAN
Will the Minister consider the advisability of rectifying that anomalous position?