asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that Michael Higgins, of 3 Mark's Alley, off Francis Street, Dublin, applied for a blind pension on 21st September, 1943, and that the case was subsequently investigated by an assessment officer; if he will state the amount of annual income assessed, and the sources from which this income is alleged to be derived, and whether he will favourably consider the appeal which is pending.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Pension Appeal.
The appeal in this case is under consideration and I do not desire to make any comments thereon before a decision is reached. The question of means does not arise unless and until the claimant's qualification as to blindness is established.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that this case has come before the Dublin Old Age Pensions Committee, and that the man has been refused his old age pension by one of the officers because his means exceed £39 per annum? The man has no means and has to beg pennies in the street to pay for his lodging. In the circumstances, will the Minister see that begging will not be a disqualification until the man gets his pension? How is he to live in the meantime?
The position in this matter is that the applicant has applied for a blind pension. The Department has intimated to him the steps which he must take in order to prove his qualifications for pension on the ground of blindness.
Mr. Byrne
No, no, no. I beg your pardon. That point has never arisen. A point has arisen as a result of this officer saying that the man has means whereas the only means he has are what he gets by begging pennies in the street to get a penny cup of coffee in the lodging house, and a 3d. dinner from one of the parish kitchens. He has no means whatever. The man has nothing between himself and Heaven except what the passers-by give him.
The applicant has applied for blind pension and must establish blindness—he has not succeeded in doing that—before his claim can be considered.
Mr. Byrne
It is not fair.
Question No. 18.
Mr. Byrne
He is not fair to the man.
Next question.
Mr. Byrne
He is disqualified because of his begging in the street.
The Deputy must sit down.
Mr. Byrne
He has no other means whatsoever.
The Deputy should have acquired some sense of order.
Mr. Byrne
He has only what the people in the street give him.
The Deputy must observe the rules of order.
Mr. Byrne
I will not be misrepresented by anybody.
The Deputy will sit down.
Mr. Byrne
Fair play is due.
The Deputy will sit down.
Mr. Byrne
I will not be misrepresented.
He wants to be put out.