A person aged 66 years or over may qualify for an old age non-contributory pension if his or her weekly means do not exceed €171.10. All income is taken into account in calculating the means including the value of any property owned, but excluding a person's own home.
Each of the couple concerned is getting an old age non-contributory pension of €38.50 per week based upon weekly means of €133.05 which were assessed in January 2002. However, following a recent review of their circumstances by a social welfare inspector, their weekly means had increased to €185.23.
As the means of each of the couple are currently in excess of the maximum statutory limit, their pensions are due to be revoked. However, before a formal decision is made on this matter, a deciding officer of my Department wrote to the couple in January 2005 affording them a period of 21 days in which to supply any evidence which might indicate that their means assessment is incorrect. If no reply is received to this letter, a decision on their entitlement to pension will be made based upon the facts currently available.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions relating to claims are made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.