Paul McGrath
Ceist:1704 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the recoupment of moneys paid out in error by her Department; and the circumstances where such repayments are overlooked. [16313/02]
Written Answers. - Recovery of Overpayments.
The recoupment of moneys paid out in error by my Department is regulated by a code of practice. It governs the repayment of all overpayments of social welfare payments, including supplementary welfare allowance payments, which a person is liable to repay under the Social Welfare Acts.
The code provides that the repayment of an overpayment may be reduced or cancelled where the overpayment arose as a result of departmental error or failure by the Department to act within a reasonable period on information provided and the person concerned could not reasonably have been expected to be aware of the error or failure. It also provides that the repayment may be cancelled where there is no reasonable prospect of securing repayment.
The code is set out in Statutory Instrument No. 227 of 1996 – Social Welfare (Code of practice on the recovery of overpayments) Regulations, 1996.
Question No. 1705 withdrawn.
Question No. 1706 answered with Question No. 1670.