Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 September 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

3:35 pm

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is currently issuing letters to more than 60,000 recipients of the contributory State pension, who will receive an increase for a qualified adult. The letter includes a declaration to be signed by the recipient and returned to the Department's control unit within 21 days. The declaration states the undersigned has disclosed truthful information to the Department and that if any information is untrue, he or she will be required to repay the Department or face prosecution. The letter has caused massive upset, panic and fear among some of the most vulnerable people within the State and does not reflect accurately its intended purpose. It does not state there is any flexibility in the timeframe and has caused massive fear. It highlights the poor communication from the Department to people in receipt of social welfare.

Will the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection communicate properly with the 60,000 vulnerable citizens in receipt of the payment, and ensure they are aware of the flexibility and of the true purpose of the letter?

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