Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have a difficulty with that because many pensioners and those who are on invalidity pension may not be able to attend in order to have their photographs taken. A large number of these individuals are quite elderly and incapacitated and they may not be able to present themselves to be photographs. I am concerned that their payments will be stopped. I am aware of a lone parent whose payment was stopped. She received a letter requesting that she attend to be photographed but she rang the Department and indicated that she could not be present at the time stipulated because she was working. The message did not get through the system and her payment was stopped. Having the payment restored - this eventually happened - proved messy. I am concerned that pensioners' payments might be stopped if they do not attend to be photographed. Perhaps the Minister might monitor how matters proceed in this regard.

It is harsh that where an overpayment is the fault of the Department, the recipient is required to pay back the full amount. I am of the view that there should be room for negotiation in this regard. Fraud of this nature is not intentional and is the fault of the Department.

There is much more I wish to say but I will have to wait until Committee Stage. The Cathaoirleach is smiling at me as if to say "Sit down, Senator Moloney, and let someone else speak". We can discuss the matters to which I refer in greater detail on Committee Stage.