Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am approaching the overpayment of teachers from a slightly different perspective. I have been contacted by young teachers who have received correspondence in the past two weeks seeking the repayment of overpayments made in their wages. The letters they received stated that moneys would be deducted from their salaries within two weeks. The individuals in question have been in contact with the Department for the past two years questioning the rate they were being paid. They were informed they were being paid the correct rate and have letters to that effect. Many of them are part-time and under financial pressure. This is a little like a person informing his bank manager that he is being paid the wrong rate of interest and being told it is the correct interest rate, only to have the rate increased 18 months later, with a view to securing a large sum that the customer does not have. How did this situation arise? Will Mr. Ó Foghlú give a commitment to cease collecting arrears until there has been some interaction with the young teachers in question? They are frustrated because when they contacted the Department to query the rate they were being paid they were told they were on the correct rate. Now they have received letters out of the blue seeking repayment and many of them do not have the money to do so because they are employed part-time. I ask Mr. Ó Foghlú to explain how this happened. He will appreciate that Deputies have a representational role in the matter and, as such, I am not being personal. I have met these young teachers and they are very upset. They are not earning a fortune; far from it. The Department has indicated the amounts to be repaid. Some of the teachers in question cannot afford to pay these amounts. I have raised the matter with the Minister and I have no doubt my representations will be passed on to Mr. Ó Foghlú. How did this matter arise and how will the teachers in question be treated?