Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the circumstances of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be examined as a matter of urgency, in respect of an overpayment made to that person by her Department, with a view to accepting a payment of €50 per week as an initial repayment. [19582/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of invalidity pension (IP) which included an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) in respect of his spouse. Entitlement to this increase, which had been in payment with effect from 14 October 2010 at the maximum weekly rate, is subject to the means of the spouse continuing to be within the prescribed limits.
A condition of receipt of IP is that a recipient must notify the department as soon as possible of any changes in their circumstances which may affect their payment, including the circumstances of their qualified adult.
Following a review, a deciding officer (DO) determined that the person in question was entitled only to a reduced rate of IQA from 03 November 2011 as his spouse had means from employment which were not previously declared to the department. As a result of this revised decision, the person concerned has incurred an overpayment for the period 3 November 2011 to 15 April 2015. Notification of the revised decision issued to the person in question on 22 April 2015, setting out the reasons for the decision and advising him of his right to review and appeal.
A DO will contact the person concerned in due course regarding proposals for the recovery of the overpayment. He will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposals and/or propose alternative arrangements at that time.
