asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the reasons for the refusal to grant an old age pension to Thomas Cussen, Mount-plummer, Broadford, County Limerick, whose application was disallowed on 17th April, 1947, notwithstanding the facts that the applicant submitted a certificate to prove that he has not now, nor never had, money in a bank, that he is being maintained by his brother, and that the local sub-committee has granted his application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Application for Old Age Pension.
The local pension subcommittee's decision allowing Mr. Thomas Cussen a 10/- pension was appealed against by the investigation officer on the grounds that his means as calculated under the Old Age Pensions Acts exceeded the statutory limit (£39 5s. 0d.) per annum. The claimant did not submit a certificate that he had no money in bank. On the contrary, a request for authority to search bank records was ignored by Mr. Cussen and it was admitted that he had had money in the bank in 1929. The appeal was accordingly upheld by the central authority.
If Mr. Cussen can now produce substantial evidence that his means are within the statutory limit he may make a fresh claim.