asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the old age pension granted to Mrs. Catherine Coughlan, Knocknamanna, Minane Bridge, Carrigaline, County Cork, is being withheld to recover an overpayment stated to have been made between April, 1921, and December, 1929: if he is aware that when proceedings were taken for the recovery of this money the Circuit Judge did not give a decree against Mrs. Coughlan, and whether in view of the circumstances of the case and pensioner's age he will consider having the remainder of the overpayment remitted and pension restored to Mrs. Coughlan immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Old Age Pension Claim.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Circuit Court Judge gave a decree last January for the amount of old age pension overdrawn with costs, payable by instalments of 1/- a week, the first payment to be made on the 1st of March, 1933. No payments were made by Mrs. Coughlan under this decree. Payment of her current old age pension is now being withheld in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (3) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1911, to recover the amount overdrawn.
There does not appear to be any good reason why recovery of the balance of the debt outstanding should not be enforced.
Mr. Murphy
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will he consider the advisability of having the deductions made at the rate of 5/- a week instead of at the full rate of 10/-, more especially having regard to the judge's decision?