asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health why Mrs. Catherine (Breheny) Henry of Tunnagh, Carracastle, Ballaghadereen, who was passed by the Pension Committee at Tubbercurry, at their meeting in June, 1927, was refused the pension, and on what grounds; if he is aware that her elder sister, Mrs. McGarry (next in family) has been in receipt of the old age pension for the last 3 years and 8 months; that the necessary affidavits were lodged and all reasonable evidence given bearing out the above facts, and if he would have the matter re-opened or an Inspector sent to investigate the application.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.
No birth or baptismal certificate, or other definite evidence of the claimant's age was submitted. It appeared from the official marriage register that she was recorded as of full age when married on 4th February, 1882. Testimony as to her age was received, which was not, however, considered sufficient to justify the allowance of a pension, and while the appeal was still under consideration the claimant was asked, on 14th July, 1927, to furnish further specified evidence. No reply being received the appeal was decided on 6th August, 1927, and the claim was disallowed. Subsequently, on 24th August, 1927, the baptismal certificate of her elder sister, baptised 9th March, 1854, was forwarded, together with a statement as to the order of births in the family. This evidence was then, however, too late to be of use.
A decision given on appeal under the Old Age Pensions Act cannot be reconsidered.
It is, however, open to the claimant to make a fresh claim in the usual way through the local pension officer, and if it should subsequently come in on appeal all the evidence will receive careful and sympathetic consideration.