Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details of the background to an overpayment to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the amount of this payment which has been paid off; the reason deductions ceased; and if she will ensure her Department makes a more reasonable proposal to this person to recoup the outstanding amount. [15877/13]
View answerThe person concerned was previously notified in writing that a deciding officer had determined that he was over paid on his invalidity pension, jobseeker's benefit and national fuel allowance claims.
The overpayment amounted to €11,982.80, of which €2,097.10 has been recovered to date, leaving a balance due of €9,885.70.
Deductions stopped when the person’s jobseeker's allowance payment ceased on 30 October 2012. On 20 August 2012 the person was awarded disability allowance with effect from 11 July 2012.
The person was notified that the Department intends to recover the outstanding debt by means of weekly deductions from his disability allowance payment of €28.20 and he was asked for his comments on the recovery proposal.
The person has been in contact with the Overpayment and Debt Management Unit in Longford on the matter and his case will be reviewed to ensure a fair and reasonable amount is being deducted having regard to the amount outstanding and the income of the person in question.
