Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 736: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when revised decisions in respect of the disability allowance for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will issue. [24867/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The wife of the couple in question claimed disability allowance and she was awarded an allowance in 2000 at a weekly rate appropriate to a person with nil means. She subsequently took up various part-time employments from 2001 onwards and her rate of payment was reduced accordingly.

Her husband applied for disability allowance in December 2004. In the course of investigating his entitlement it came to light that he owned a farm. This information had not been disclosed when his wife made her claim. On the basis of this, the deciding officer made a revised decision, the effect of which was to reduce the rate of disability allowance to the wife in respect of the period 24 November 2004 to 21 June 2005. As a consequence she has been overpaid €1,350.

She appealed against this decision to the social welfare appeals office. A submission on the case has been prepared by the deciding officer and the appeal will be referred to an appeals officer for early consideration. The application made by the husband for disability allowance has been referred to an investigator for further information and, when this is to hand, a decision will be made.

Under social welfare legislation decisions relating 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.