Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in regard to the blind pension. [6876/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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This person was in receipt of a reduced blind person's pension from August 1998. She was assessed with means of €63.59 per week derived from her husband's earnings.

Following a review of her circumstances by the Department, the person's current means were assessed at €222.81 per week. These are derived from her spouse's earnings and a pension from the Western Health Board. As this amount exceeds the statutory income limit of €170.10 per week, the pension was revoked with effect from 7 January 2005. The person appealed the decision to the social welfare appeals office and the appeals officer, having considered all the evidence, determined that the assessment of €222.81 is correct. The person is being informed of the decision.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.