Michael Ring
Question:370 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason the pension of a person (details supplied) County Mayo was so drastically reduced from £ 42 to £ 13.50. [14329/97]
Written Answers - Pension Entitlements.
The person concerned was in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension at the rate of £ 38.50 per week, based on a means assessment of £ 31.63 per week. The means were derived mainly from her British retirement pension. Her means were reviewed recently and on the basis of an increase in her British pension, her means were reassessed at £ 59.86 per week which had the effect of reducing her widow's pension to £ 13.50 from 27 June 1997.
Her appeal against this decision was considered by an appeals officer who has decided that the means have been properly assessed in accordance with social welfare legislation. She has been notified of the appeals officer's decision.
Michael Ring
Question:371 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a pension appeal will be decided on for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [14330/97]
The person concerned and his wife are in receipt of old age non-contributory pension at the rate of £ 40.50 each per week. An application for an increase in their pensions was made in January 1997. This was considered and refused by a deciding officer on 11 April 1997. The basis of this refusal was that the person concerned had failed to account for the disposal of £ 25,000 realised from the sale of a property. An appeal was made on their behalf and an oral hearing has been arranged for 8 October 1997 in Ballina.