asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reasons for withholding an old age pension from John Montgomery, of Ramelton, Co. Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Old Age Pension Claims.
This appeal was decided on the 12th February, 1931, the claim being disallowed, as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that the claimant fulfilled the statutory condition as to age.
If I submit further evidence, will the Minister be prepared to consider it in order to expedite the matter without its going to the subcommittee?
Further evidence will be considered, but the appeal having been decided, the question can only arise again on a fresh claim.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reasons for the refusal to sanction payments of an old age pension to Patrick Cunningham, of Meentask, Ardara, County Donegal.
An appeal in this case was decided on the 14th May, 1931, the claim being disallowed, as it was not clear on the evidence submitted that the claimant fulfilled the statutory condition as to age.
Is the Minister aware that the applicant has been unable to obtain his birth certificate, but that his claim was accompanied by a statement from the principal teacher of the school he attended that he was admitted a pupil of that school on the 19th January, 1871, and that he was then aged 10 years? The pension officer who has examined this entry in the school-books can certify as to it, and, in view of that, I do not see how the Minister contends that the applicant is not 70 years of age.
The facts are as the Deputy states them, but it is clear that some of the records of this school are not quite correct. The presentation of a certificate has been taken into consideration, and an endeavour has been made to place a just value on that certificate.
The Minister says that some of these records are incorrect, but in this record the applicant is entered as ten years of age in 1871, which would leave him 70 years of age now. In view of that, and in view of the fact that the pension officer has inspected the school records, I do not see how the Minister can contend that there is insufficient evidence.
In the case of a school whose records do not agree in certain cases with birth certificates when these are traced, there is prima facie evidence that the records of that school are not entirely reliable.
Will the Minister say what further evidence he requires from this applicant to satisfy him that he is 70 years of age?
That is a very wide question.
He is unable to get his birth certificate. The only record he can get is his school certificate.
In adjudicating upon this case, the evidence adduced, such as it was, was found not to be conclusive.