Dáil Éireann - Volume 26 - 07 November, 1928

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OLD AGE PENSIONS.

SEAN O GUILIDHE asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state on what grounds Patrick Guiry, of Lyre East, Ballymacarby, Co. Waterford, was deprived of an old age pension of 4/- per week.

General MULCAHY: A question was raised about November, 1926, with regard to the old age pension of 3/- a week then held in this case. It was reported that the claimant owned and resided on a farm of 100 acres (poor law valuation £13 17s. 6d.) carrying the usual stock. The pensioner was allowed the usual opportunity of submitting evidence on his own behalf. He failed, however, to do so, and on 13th December, 1926, as it was not clear that his means were within the statutory limit the question for the stoppage of the pension was allowed.

Mr. ANDREW FOGARTY asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state on what estimate of income the old age pension of four shillings a week paid to Mrs. Ellen Fanning, widow, Mitchel St., Thurles, is based, and how the estimate was arrived at.

General MULCAHY: As this case has not come before me on appeal I have no information concerning it.

Mr. A. FOGARTY asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state why John Ryan, of no fixed abode, Thurles, is not paid an old age pension at the full rate.

General MULCAHY: An appeal arising out of a claim for an old age pension came up for adjudication on the 9th August, 1927. The claimant's [1524] yearly means were estimated as follows:—

Wages and perquisites

£30

3

5

Free house (1/6 a week)

3

18

0

Fowl

0

12

0

Total

£34

13

5

By a decision dated 29th August, 1927, a pension at the 3/- rate was allowed. The case has not since come up for adjudication on appeal.

Mr. A. FOGARTY asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state for what reason the recommendation of the Local Old Age Pension Committee, awarding a pension at the maximum rate to Mrs. Mary Hammond, widow, Chapel Street, Borrisoleigh, has not been carried out, and whether he will give instructions to have her claim reconsidered.

General MULCAHY: An appeal is at present under consideration in this case arising out of a question raised by the pensioner for an increase of her existing rate of 8/- a week. Full consideration will be given to all the evidence submitted before a decision is given.

Mr. A. FOGARTY asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state on what grounds the old age pension of ten shillings per week to Mrs. Norah Leamey, Cloncannon, Moneygall, which was granted to her by the Pension Committee at Roscrea has been refused.

General MULCAHY: This claimant was visited by an inspector of the Department on the 8th ultimo in connection with an appeal then pending. Full opportunity was afforded to her to produce evidence in support of her application. In view of the terms of the inspector's report it was not clear that her means, as calculated for pension purposes, were less than £26 a year, and accordingly a pension of 6/- a week was allowed by a decision given on 9th ultimo.

Mr. A. FOGARTY asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state why Mrs. [1525] Bridget Loughnane, Mitchel Street, Thurles (who has no means of support), has been awarded an old age pension of only 3/- a week.

General MULCAHY: As this case has not come before me on appeal, I have no information concerning it.