Social Welfare Payments Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Ceisteanna (229)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

229. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the deadline for return to her Department of special UP38 forms agreed with a company (details supplied) which an employee must agree with his or her employer and provide to her Department in order for potential arrears of support due to be calculated and paid; if the current deadline will be extended; if not, if a degree of flexibility will be provided given the current Covid-19-related difficulties and the short timeframe for employees to submit the respective form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44069/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

My Department has requested that employees return the UP38 form completed by their employer within 21 days. This has already been extended from the normal 14 days within which a person is required to submit any documentation required by my Department in order to make a decision on their claim.

There is always flexibility allowed within these timeframes and where a person has difficulty in returning the required documentation they should contact their Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office to advise them of the position accordingly. A new timeframe which will facilitate the person to return the required documents can then be agreed with the person on an individual basis.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.