Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2015
114. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an overpayment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person-named entered the Early Retirement 2000 Scheme (ERS2) with effect from November, 2003. On joining the Scheme he made a written declaration that he had read and understood the governing Scheme conditions. Under the Scheme conditions, any state pension must be deducted from ERS2 pension payments. On 27 October, 2010 he was advised in writing to inform the Department if he was awarded the State Pension Transition. No reply was received to this letter.
On 13 July, 2011 the Department advised him in writing to apply for the State Pension on his 66th birthday and to forward any correspondence from the Department of Social Protection to facilitate any adjustment required to his Early Retirement Pension. No reply was received but he did submit his Annual Declaration as usual in October 2011 advising no change in his circumstances.
My Department subsequently contacted the Department of Social Protection who advised on 25 October 2012 that he had been in receipt of the State Pension Transition from 16th December 2010. Consequently, an overpayment of the ERS pension had arisen of €11,850.60 for the period from December 2010 to December 2011. He was advised of this on the 29th of November 2012. He appealed the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office and his appeal was rejected.
The person named has been reminded on a number of occasions of the outstanding debt. An option of repaying by instalments has recently been offered, but has not been accepted to date. If the gentleman concerned would contact the Department an appropriate repayment schedule can be worked out.
