asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the pension awarded to Mrs. J.H. Young, of Rosbrien Cottage, Rosbrien Road, Limerick, in respect of the presumed loss of her son, Hector Young, with the S.S. "Irish Pine" has been withdrawn; and, if so, what are the reasons for this withdrawal, and when may she expect to have it restored.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Lady's Pension.
The pension awarded under Emergency Powers (No. 263) Order, 1943, jointly to the parents of Hector Young who was serving on the missing S.S. "Irish Pine" ceased on the 19th January, 1944. An investigation into the circumstances of the parents disclosed that pecuniary need, which under the terms of the Order is an essential condition of eligibility for pension, no longer existed at that time, and it therefore became necessary to discontinue payment of pension. The parents were informed that consideration would be given to the question of granting another pension if and when evidence of a material worsening in their circumstances was submitted. Such evidence was received recently and the matter is now having attention.
Is the Minister aware that Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Young have not only lost this son, who was lost on board the ship mentioned in the question, but they have another son in the Army, a third in the Marine Service and a fourth who is a merchant sailor? In these circumstances, does the Minister propose to demand, before he makes them any allowance by way of pension for the loss of the boy who died on this merchant vessel, that they should be in penury, or does he propose to give them the pension so as to spare them the pangs of acute poverty as a result of the loss of the earnings of the boy who has died?
Under the terms of the Order, pecuniary need must be established.
Would the Minister not interpret the Order to mean that, if people are reduced from a state of modest comfort to one of extreme poverty as a result of the loss of their boy, he would be entitled to give them such assistance as will mitigate their sufferings? Surely that is the purpose the Dáil had in mind? Will the Minister so interpret it, and give these people the miserable allowance of 12/6 which they were getting and which has now been taken away?
A pension is subject to periodical review. It was reviewed in January last and pecuniary need was shown not to exist then. Evidence that in the meantime the circumstances of the family have worsened has been received and the matter is again being examined.
Will the Minister not apply the test of destitution, if he is satisfied the people are poor as a result of the loss of the son, where they might have been comfortable had he not died?
Pecuniary need must be established.
But not destitution?
Not destitution.
Mr. A. Byrne
In view of the fact that there are other cases pending, will the Minister reconsider the point of "pecuniary need"? Will he withdraw the words "pecuniary need"?
That is a separate question, quite a different matter.