asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (a) whether he is aware that Eliza Munn, of Dromatoland, St. Johnston, was awarded an old age pension of 10/- per week by the Strabane No. 2 Pensions Sub-Committee, and that it was disallowed on appeal; (b) whether he is aware that this applicant is living with and totally dependent upon her son; and (c) whether he will state the grounds upon which the calculation is based that this applicant's means exceeds the sum of £39 5s. Od. per year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral—Answers. - Donegal Old Age Pension Claim.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The information before me does not show that the applicant, who is living with her son, is totally dependent upon him. Her means exceed £39 5s. Od. If the Deputy desires I will send him particulars of the estimate of her means.
Would the Minister not be prepared to give that estimate now?
I do not see the necessity for putting details of means of old age pension questions into answers given in the Dáil, but I will circulate to the Deputy a copy of the estimate of means.
In view of the fact that the Minister has brought out a new regulation which deprives Deputies from going to make representations to the Department, and in view of what I consider to be an unsatisfactory answer to the question, I intend to raise this matter to-night on the adjournment, or on the first available opportunity.
Might I ask if the Deputy will be prepared to say what advantage is to be gained by putting a statement of the means in regard to old age pension questions into the records of the Dáil?