Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of inspectors that are employed by the State to monitor, after old age non-contributory pensions have been awarded, changes in the financial circumstances of old age pensioners; the salary these inspectors are paid; the way in which these persons are recruited; and the precise definition of their role. [26735/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's inspectorate, appointed under section 212 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, assesses entitlement to all means tested social welfare schemes, excluding supplementary welfare allowance. Reviews of means-tested payments are also carried out by inspectors to ensure the conditions regarding entitlement continue to be satisfied. The inspectors' remit also includes the combating of fraud and abuse of all the Department's schemes.

The inspectorate is also responsible for ensuring that employers and the self employed comply with the Acts in relation to pay related social insurance contributions. In addition, inspectors monitor employers' compliance with the Pensions Act 1990 in relation to PRSA obligations and notify the Pensions Board where non-compliance in this regard is suspected.

Where a non-contributory pension is awarded there is a legal obligation on the recipient to report any increases in means to the Department within a period of three months. As for ongoing reviews of means-tested payments, a total of 2,140 reviews of old-age non-contributory pensions were carried out by inspectors in 2004.

There is a total of 297 inspectors currently working countrywide with annual salaries ranging from €26,618 to €53,191, depending on grade and service. Inspector posts are advertised internally in the Department and are normally filled either by the transfer of the most experienced and suitable applicant or by internal competition.