asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state on what grounds the old age pension of Mrs. Cunniham, No. 5821, Ballycullen, Ashford, Co. Wicklow, was reduced to 4/-; if he is aware that Mrs. Cunniham is a widow without means and resides with her son-in-law at Ballycullen, Ashford, Co. Wicklow.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REDUCED OLD AGE PENSION (CO. WICKLOW).
A pension of 8/- a week was allowed on the 2nd of November 1923, under the 1919 Act in this case. That pension was reviewed under the 1924 Act and was fixed on appeal at 4/- a week. It appears from the papers that the pensioner's late husband held a fully stocked and cultivated farm, valuation £24, rent £10, which was assigned on the 25th May, 1925, to his daughter, an only child, on marriage. The claimant is now maintained there by her daughter and son-in-law. Twelve shillings a week would appear to be a reasonable value to place on maintenance, judging by the standard of the farm. A question was raised last year by the claimant for an increased rate of pension, and the matter came before the local Pension Sub-Committee on the 5th September last. They disallowed the application. A further question was raised by the claimant on the 30th November, 1925. It came before the local Sub-Committee on the 10th inst., when they allowed her a full pension of 9/- a week. An appeal from the Pension Officer against that decision was received on the 13th inst., and is at present under consideration. There is nothing in the papers to show the existence of exceptional circumstances, such as heavy indebtedness or other financial burdens to affect the value of maintenance on the farm. In the absence of such evidence it is proposed to disallow the question and refuse an increase in the existing old age pension of 4/- a week.