asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that several applications for payment of old age pension were submitted to the local pension committee by Mr. John Dooley, Ballycoolid, Rathdowney, County Laoighis (Reference B/4643); whether the last appeal submitted to his Department was accompanied by a declaration by two neighbours who swore they were satisfied he was over 70 years of age; if it is correct that the only income of the applicant is an allowance of 8/- per week from the home assistance authorities; and if he will now sanction payment of pension or state the reasons why he declines to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Application (Laoighis).
The applicant made a claim in January, 1943. He was then in constant employment. No documentary evidence regarding age was submitted. The claim was disallowed on appeal on the ground that the claimant did not fulfil the statutory conditions as to age and means. A further claim was made in January, 1944. There was no documentary evidence by way of birth, baptismal, school or other reliable record submitted and the claim was disallowed on appeal on the ground that claimant did not fulfill the statutory condition as to age. A third claim was made in March, 1945, and this was accompanied on appeal by declarations by two local persons regarding claimant's age. The declarations furnished were mere assertions of belief, and did not refer to any circumstance or incident in claimant's early life which would be of assistance in fixing his age. The claim was disallowed on appeal on the 24th September last. From the information supplied to this Department the claimant is in receipt of home assistance to the extent mentioned.
Is it the policy of the Parliamentary Secretary in cases of this kind to accept the personal opinion of an investigating officer who does not know the applicant as against the sworn testimony of local citizens of good standing, as in this case, that they believe the applicant is over the qualifying age?
Every consideration is given by deciding officers to difficult cases of this kind. In fact this applicant was interviewed by an inspector of the Department of Local Government who was unable to make a favourable recommendation.