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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1924

Vol. 9 No. 12

CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - KILDARE OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why Mrs. Rose Keogh, The Banks, Ballymore-Eustace, Co. Kildare, who was recommended for the old age pension by the local committee, has been advised by the Pensions Officer that she is not so entitled.

This claim was disallowed on the ground of insufficient evidence of age.

Is the Minister aware that this lady came to Ballymore-Eustace nearly fifty years ago and has been there ever since, and that the difficulties of getting particulars as regards her birth are very great? The register, I believe, has been burned. Would he explain what is to be done in a case of that kind?

I think I circulated to Deputies a full explanation of how to proceed in matters of this kind. In this particular case declarations from two other persons residing in County Leitrim who had known the claimant in early life were submitted. One of the persons stated that the claimant was 72 years, and the second that she was over 70. No mention was made of relevant facts as to her life history. None of these persons submitted any evidence connecting their lives together; for instance, that they were in the same class at school together, or something of that kind, which would be evidence sufficient for us to grant a pension on appeal. No such evidence has been submitted.

Of course the Minister will understand that it is very difficult to get evidence of that kind, in the case of a lady who has been living fifty years away from the place in which she was born. Perhaps some latitude might be allowed in that case.

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