asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (name supplied) has been refused an old age pension owing to lack of evidence of age while the Department of Defence appears to recognise that he was 70 years in August, 1964, and accordingly reduced his military allowance; and when he expects that he will be granted the pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Applicant for Old Age Pension.
55.
I understand that the Department of Defence adjusted the Special Allowance in this case in accordance with their normal practice when the recipient claimed old age pension on the basis that he was 70 years of age. When, however, the appeals officer in my Department refused the claim for old age pension on the grounds that the claimant did not fulfil the statutory condition as to age, the Department of Defence restored the Special Allowance to the higher rate.
I am having the case examined with a view to seeing whether any acceptable evidence of age can be obtained.