asked the Minister for Finance on what grounds the old age pension granted to Bridget Kilkelly, Ryehill, Monivea, was reduced by 3/-, and whether the Minister will now consider restoring this amount to her.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSION CLAIMS.
Local inquiries are being made in this case. Perhaps the Deputy will be good enough to repeat the question in about ten days' time.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state for what reasons the old age pension has been refused Mr. James Kissane, Kilcock Upper, Liselton, Co. Kerry; whether he is aware that Kissane is entirely dependent on the charity of his nephew, and has no means; and whether he is aware that but for the charity of his nephew this man would have to get out-door relief or go to the county home.
An appeal was received on the 12th of November, 1927, arising out of this claim. It was determined on the 1st of December, 1927, that the claimant was not entitled to any pension, as it was not clear that his means, consisting of his maintenance by his nephew, were less than £39 5s. a year, the statutory limit for the receipt of a pension. In calculating means for old age pension purposes account must be taken of the yearly value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by a claimant.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons why the old age pension at the rate of 9s. per week, has been refused to Mrs. M. Doran, Lyracrompane, Listowel; and if he is aware that she is absolutely destitute and entirely dependent on her relatives for support.
This case came up on appeal in January last. It was reported that the claimant was maintained by her sister, a farmer and shopkeeper, and as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that the yearly value of her support was less than £39 5s. 0d., the claim was disallowed on the 31st of January, 1928. In calculating means for old age pension purposes account must be taken of the yearly value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by a claimant.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why John Carroll, Ballinorig West, Ardfert, Kerry, has been refused the old age pension; and whether the Minister is aware that he is partially dependent on the charity of his relatives.
This case has not come before me so far on appeal, and I have therefore no information in regard to it. I have, however, referred it to the Minister for Finance who will probably be in a position to reply to the Deputy shortly.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons why Ellen Prendiville, Ballincloher, Lixnaw, has been refused the old age pension; and whether he is aware that some months ago two old age pensioners made affidavits before a Peace Commissioner that she was over 70 years.
This claim is at present under consideration on appeal on the ground of insufficient evidence of age. The only definite evidence so far furnished is the record that the claimant was 20 years old when married on the 29th of January, 1881. A certificate has, however, been produced of a child, said to be claimant's first-born, baptised on the 15th of March, 1873. Further investigation is being made, and a decision will be given as soon as possible.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that Mary Doyle, of Cleragh, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, was passed by the Kiltimagh Sub-Committee of the Old Age Pensions for a pension which was appealed against successfully by the Pension Officer; if he will give the reasons; and if he will have the matter further investigated.
The Kiltimagh Pension Sub-Committee granted an old age pension of 9/- a week to this claimant on the 4th of January, 1928. An appeal was received on the ground of age. It was reported that no birth or baptismal certificate was produced, and that the claimant was merely recorded as of "full age" when married on 12th February, 1884. It was not clear that the statutory age had been attained, and the claim was disallowed on the 2nd of February, 1928. This decision is final and conclusive, and the case cannot now be reopened. If, however, more definite evidence of age can be produced, it is open to the claimant to make a fresh claim in the usual way.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health on what grounds the old age pension granted to Michael Hanly, Monivea (Tuam area) was refused.
No evidence was received from this claimant to show that he fulfilled the statutory conditions as to age or residence—and the claim was, therefore, disallowed on appeal on the 2nd of July, 1926.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health on what grounds the old age pension granted to Brigid Martyn, Cartymore, Athenry, was reduced.
An appeal on grounds of age and means was received in this case on the 11th of April, 1927, against the proposed allowance of a pension of 9/- a week by the Oranmore Pension Sub-Committee. The value of the claimant's maintenance by her son-in-law was estimated at £31 4s. a year. While the appeal was under consideration this estimate was not challenged, and by a decision dated the 21st of June, 1927, a pension of 4/- a week was allowed as from the 8th of January, 1927.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that Michael Gorman, Kilgowan, Kilcullen, County Kildare (Ref. No. 957) states that his only income is the old age pension of six shillings, which is now being paid to him; whether he will give the reasons for refusal to pay the full pension; and if he will have further inquiries made in the case.
This pensioner, who is in receipt of an old age pension of 6/- a week, raised a question for an increase which came up on appeal in July last. It was reported that he received support in return for labour on a large holding of land. While the appeal was under consideration he failed to furnish any evidence in support of his application, and it was therefore determined on the 26th of August, 1927, that he was not entitled to a pension at a higher rate than 6/- a week. Decisions given on appeal in old age pension cases cannot be reconsidered, but if the claimant's circumstances have since changed it is open to him to raise a question for an increase in pension in the usual way.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health why Mrs. Johanna Quilter, Ahabeg, Lixnaw, County Kerry, has been refused the old age pension; if he is aware that Mrs. Quilter cannot find any record as regards her age, and if he will instruct the local officer to interview the applicant again, and report on her age from her appearance; and if he is aware that, not being originally from Ahabeg, Mrs. Qiulter finds it very difficult to get any old age pensioners to make declarations or affidavits as to her age.
In this case an appeal was decided on the 22nd of October, 1927. It was determined that the claimant was not entitled to any pension, as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that she had attained the statutory age. Her name was not found in a search covering the years 1843 to 1867 in the Baptismal Register. The only members of her family whose names were found were Mary, baptised 15th September, 1844, and Francis, baptised 28th July, 1850. The years 1845, 1846, 1847, and part of 1848, are, however, missing from the Register.
While the appeal was under consideration special attention was given to the investigation of age, but the claimant was apparently unable to get anyone to vouch for her age except her relatives, and the two relatives who made declarations were not much more than 60 years of age.
The case can only be revived by the making of a fresh claim in the usual way, if further evidence is now available. It should, however, be noted that while every assistance is given to claimants the onus of proof of qualification lies on them.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state for what reason Mrs. Catherine McCarthy, Clahane, Ballyduff, Tralee, has been refused the old age pension; and if he is aware that she is entirely destitute and living on the charity of her friends.
An appeal was decided on the 18th of January, 1928, in this case. It was determined that the claimant was not entitled to any pension as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that she fulfilled the statutory condition as to residence, i.e., twelve years since attaining the age of 50 years.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state for what reason Daniel Nolan, Knockbrack, Knocknagoshel, County Kerry, is not receiving the old age pension at the rate of 9/- per week.
An appeal was decided on the 7th of December, 1927, in this case. It was determined that the claimant was not entitled to any pension, as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that his means, as calculated under the Old Age Pensions Acts, were within the statutory limit (of £39 5s. a year) for the receipt of a pension.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reasons why the old age pension of Maurice Kennelly, Kilgorvin, Ballylongford, Kerry, has been reduced from 6/- to 2/-.
This pensioner was originally in receipt of an old age pension of 6/- a week, the value of his maintenance being estimated at 14/- a week. Under the review which took place in accordance with the provisions of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1924, the pension was, therefore, reduced to 2/- a week.
A question raised by the pensioner for an increase was disallowed by the Lisselton Pension Sub-Committee on the 25th of May, 1925, and their decision was confirmed on appeal on the 14th of July, 1925.
A further question by the pensioner was also disallowed on appeal on the 24th of February, 1927, as he failed to show that his means had in any way decreased.
He is maintained on a farm of 39 acres (Poor Law Valuation, £12 10s.) which he assigned to his son on the 19th of February, 1924, on the occasion of the latter's marriage.