To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of work undertaken by Social Security Agency pension advisers; if he will take steps to retain the pension advisers employed by the Social Security Agency; and if he will make a statement. (135340)

While no formal assessment has been undertaken of the Social Security Agency's pension advisers, they successfully met their performance targets for 2006-07. The agency is currently assessing the resources required to ensure that the needs of older people are met.

The agency recognises that older people are a vulnerable customer group and that pension advisers play an important role in meeting their needs. The agency remains committed to ensuring that older people can access information and advice on benefit related issues and will continue to offer a pension adviser service.