asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (a) the number of old age pension appeals submitted to the Appeals Board since 1st January, 1955, (b) the number of recommendations by the local social welfare officers which were varied by the board, and (c) the number of recommendations by the local pensions committees, which varied from those of the social welfare officers, and which were accepted by the board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Appeals.
As regards (a) of the question, the number of appeals under the Old Age Pensions Acts which were submitted in the period from 1st January, 1955, to 31st March, 1956, was 4,672.
As regards (b) and (c) of the question, statistics are not available from which to supply the information sought.
Is it not peculiar that these statistics are not available? Can the Minister say that they will be made available in the future—in a month's time if I repeat the question?
It will mean a new operation in the Department if we are to introduce a system of keeping statistics for the type of information the Deputy requires. I shall see if anything can be done but I cannot give any definite promise.
I regard this information as being very important.