Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is carrying out a re-assessment of the application for the non-contributory pension for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11955/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person's claim for old age non-contributory pension was disallowed on the grounds that her means, derived from the letting of her land, exceeds the statutory limit.

The person appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and following an oral hearing of the appeal on 16 November 2004, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal. The appellant subsequently reported a change in the letting arrangement and the appeals officer has decided to refer the matter to a social welfare inspector for further investigation. The appeals officer will review his decision as soon as this report comes to hand.

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.