John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The Department will be compassionate and considerate. If a payment is taken, it will be in proportion to the payments due. However, Deputies should be aware that arrears must be dealt with. The Minister cannot allow arrears to accumulate and at the same time pay State and EU funds where there is a clear breach of contract by the client. The Department intends to encourage the 2,300 annuitants that can avail of this scheme. We hope they will take it up and that the issue of concern to the Deputies will not arise.

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