Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for the free schemes. [17455/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned has been awarded an electricity and a telephone allowance with effect from 27 March 2005. A lifetime free television licence has also been awarded to him with effect from the expiry date of his current television licence. The ESB and Eircom will be notified as soon as possible to apply the allowances to his account. He will receive his television licence with his notification of award of his electricity allowance.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of an oral hearing regarding the invalidity payment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [17461/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for invalidity pension on 23 August 2004. Although she fulfilled the medical eligibility criteria the social insurance, PRSI, conditions were not satisfied. She was refused invalidity pension and was notified of this decision on 14 October 2004, the reasons for it and of her right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and, following an oral hearing of the appeal on 15 April 2005, the appeals officer considered that further inquiries were necessary. When these are completed the appeals officer will consider the matter further.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions on 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.