Vol. 550 No. 1
163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason child benefit is being refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7427/02]
The person concerned is currently in receipt of child benefit for her four children, including the child named by the Deputy. That child was in foster care from March 2001 to January 2002 and the foster parent is entitled to child benefit in respect of that period. The person concerned has been notified of this and it will be necessary to recover the overpayment to her in respect of the period involved.
The person concerned has been written to and asked for her comments on the position before a decision is made on the recovery of the overpayment. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
