OLD-AGE PENSIONS IN IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THR "Srzorrros."]
SIR,—As the operation of the Old-Age Pension Act in Ireland is just now a question of some interest to the public, may I be allowed to state what I know of it in this part of the country,—a northern district of Connaught ? Almost every man and woman here who looks old and claims a pension as being seventy receives it. It is in most cases impossible to ascertain accurately the ages of the people, as the records have been most carelessly kept, and consequently many who are under the legal age get it. I do not think there are many cases of intentional fraud, but where there is a doubt the applicants generally got the benefit of it. W hat is much worse than mistakes as to age is that well-to-do and prosperous people in large numbers, people who are perfectly well able to support themselves and were quite willing to, do so had not this chance offered itself, are now receiving pensions. Let me give you one typical instance, and there are hundreds like it all over the country. A farmer and his wife, both about seventy, occupy a farm of forty acres of excellent land, held at a very low rent. They live in a large slated house, with substantial stabling and cowsheds attached ; they have five or six milch-cows, and young stock in proportion, besides pigs, fowls, and a horse. They have one son and one daughter living with them; the rest of the family are well provided for in the Civil Service and on the railways. They are generally credited with having plenty of money in the bank. They belong to the superior class of farmers, the magnates of the country, but they are not ashamed to claim and to accept a weekly dole from the State of 10s. I could multiply largely instances of a similar kind within my own observation. The results of this new law are,
in my opinion, lamentable.—I am, Sir, &c., J. G.
Previous page
