asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give the full history of the old age pension claim of an applicant (name supplied); why this Department failed to reply to correspondence from the claimant's solicitor dated 20th and 26th May, 1965; if he informed a member of the Dáil on 9th March, 1965, that a full pension of 37/6 was granted to the claimant; if so, why this pension was not paid; and if he will take steps to have the pension and arrears paid to date and a full explanation given for the unusual action of his Department in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Claimant.
48.
The claim for old age pension in this case was originally refused by the local old age pension committee on the grounds that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit for pension. A letter from the claimant's solicitor was treated as an appeal which, following inquiries was decided by an appeals officer on 26th June. He granted full pension as from the date of claim, and all pension due to date has been paid.
The claimant's solicitor was informed on 12th May that a decision on the appeal was deferred pending the result of certain inquiries and that he would be duly notified of the result. There was nothing further that could use fully be added in reply to the letters to which the Deputy refers, which were acknowledged, and they were associated with the appeal file. A reply regarding the decision on the appeal was issued to the solicitor on 6th instant.
The remainder of the question does not arise.