asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state the grounds upon which the old age pension has been withheld from James Curry, Luggadowden, Ballymore-Eustace, Co. Kildare.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kildare Old Age Pension.
An appeal in this case was decided on the 15th August, 1930. It was determined that the claimant was not entitled to any pension, as the evidence furnished was not sufficient to show that he fulfilled the statutory qualification as to age.
Mr. Wolfe
Arising out of the Minister's answer, is he aware that people aged 70 and upwards, can testify that this man is 70 years of age? This man's wife has been for some years in receipt of the old age pension. He has a number of children one of whom—I think the eldest—is about 45 years. I think there is reasonable ground in view of these facts to believe that this man is the required age. In fact I can say myself he is. Will the Minister undertake to give the case a sympathetic reconsideration?
As far as this claim is concerned, the appeal has been determined and the matter is not now before the Department. This is a well-known difficulty and every possible help which the Department can give, even to the extent of sending an inspector down to inquire into the case on the spot, is fully and freely given. If the claimant has any further representations to make in the matter I would be prepared to have them considered or if an inspector, has not been sent down to inquire into the case locally, I would be prepared to have the matter inquired into locally on further appeal. I cannot, however, accept that there is reasonable evidence that the claimant is over the statutory age. I think if there was any reasonable evidence forthcoming it would be accepted because of the known difficulty of these cases.