Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an application for a retrospective survivor's pension in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused; and if the payment will be made to their estate. [20108/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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An application for Widow's Contributory Pension was received on 26 April 2007 on behalf of the person concerned (now deceased). The claim was refused in July 2007 on the basis that the insurance contributions condition was not satisfied. Earlier this month, the application was reviewed as additional information on insurance records was provided by the applicant. However, following a full review of the application, the claim was again refused as the insurance conditions were still not satisfied.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be reassessed for family income supplement due to a change in circumstances. [20109/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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An application for Family Income Supplement was received from the person concerned on 15/02/2007 and was disallowed by a deciding Officer of my Department on 09/05/2007 because the means exceeded the prescribed weekly family income limit of €625 applicable in his case. His family income was assessed for FIS purposes at €689.57 per week. This was derived from his net earnings of €503.77 per week and the Illness Benefit of his spouse at €185.80 per week. Notification of the decision was issued to him.

The person concerned lodged an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The appeal was disallowed on 3/8/2007 but the Appeals Officer advised him that any new documentation he might have of a reduction in earnings due to a downturn in overtime should be submitted to my Department. He submitted five recent payslips and a Deciding Officer of my Department reviewed the case in light of these. The figure for earnings was revised to €464.38 per week. This, together with €185.80 (Illness Benefit of his spouse) gives a revised income of €650.18 for FIS purposes. This is higher than the prescribed weekly family income limit of €625 in his case. Accordingly, the Deciding Officer disallowed the claim. The person concerned was notified of the outcome of the review by the Deciding Officer on 24 September 2007. It is open to him to make a repeat claim for FIS in the event that his earnings are further reduced.