asked the Minister for Finance if he can state on what basis pension officers calculate the incomes of small landholders claiming pensions under the Old Age Pension Acts; whether the calculation is based on the annuity, the carrying capacity or the poor law valuation; or is dependent on the idiosyncrasies of the different pension officers.

In calculating the means of a land holder who applies for an old age pension, the pension officer is guided by the facts of the case as ascertained by him after a visit to the claimant at his home. The calculation is based on the profits actually arising from the stock and crops on the farm, due regard being had to local conditions and current market prices. This method is universally employed.

The answer to the last two parts of the question is in the negative.