asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reasons for refusing to pay an old age pension to Mrs. Ellen Hughes (Appeal No. L.D. 4548, Naas South Sub-Committee), of Roseberry, Droichead Nua, Co. Kildare; whether he is aware that affidavits respecting the age of claimant from two intelligent and reliable life-long local residents over seventy years of age have been sent in to the Department, and whether he will reconsider the case with a view to immediate award of pension.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - KILDARE OLD AGE PENSION CLAIM.
I was not satisfied on the evidence before me that the claimant had reached the statutory age for receipt of an old age pension and the formal decision disallowing the claim was given on the 15th of December, 1926. No birth certificate was produced. Claimant was shown as "full age" at her marriage on the 24th of February, 1892. Statements were received from two persons who knew claimant for years, but no relevant facts were mentioned in support of their contention that claimant was 70 years of age. The decision already given cannot be reconsidered. If, however, claimant is in a position to obtain more conclusive evidence of age, it is open to her to make a fresh claim in the usual way.
I know one of the signatories to the application, and he is a man of the highest character. I am sure he would not sign anything except what he believed to be absolutely true. He knows this woman from the time they were children, and he is quite sure she is up to 70 years of age. I would ask the Minister to reconsider the case.
I have got no power to reconsider it. As regards the statement as to age, it is very vague. It is as follows:—
Dear Mr. Purcell, — I am quite sure the bearer of this note, Ellen Hughes, is 70 years of age. I know her all my life, and I think you will be quite safe in granting her the pension.
That is all the evidence we have to go on.
That should satisfy the Minister.