Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 569: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to a non-contributory pension for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11898/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The customer in this case made an application for Old Age Non Contributory Pension on the 19th February 1990. At the time of application the customer declared that both she and her spouse were in receipt of a U.S. pension. Following an assessment by the Social Welfare Inspector a reduced rate of Old Age Non Contributory Pension, including an increase in respect of her spouse was awarded to the customer from the 18th May 1990.

The customer's spouse subsequently made an application for Old Age Non Contributory Pension on reaching pension age on 29th January 1991. He was awarded a reduced rate Old Age Non Contributory Pension based on his declaration of means and continued to be paid until his death on the 1st April 2007.

Following receipt of an enquiry from the solicitor acting for his estate, my Department requested a schedule of assets from the estate of the deceased pensioner. On receipt of this schedule it was shown that the estate consisted of property to the value of €1,585,000 and savings of €85,715. As the amount of savings was not consistent with the customer's rate of payment, the case was referred to the Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. The Solicitor acting for the estate was advised not to distribute the assets of the estate until the matter was finalised by the department.

Following investigation it has been determined that a debt is due to the department and the solicitor acting for the estate was advised accordingly on the 8th February 2008. No monies have as yet been received in the department. In view of the new information now to hand, this customers continued entitlement to pension is under review and a Social Welfare Inspector will be calling to interview her in this regard in the near future.