Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 32, line 10, to delete "person." and substitute the following:

"person;

(h) any other debts owed by the overpaid person.".

This amendment refers to the circumstances of the person who is overpaid and adds what we think is a significant circumstance the Department should take account of prior to making arrangements regarding how the person will repay the amount owed. We think it is a circumstance that is overlooked in the Bill. Obviously, it does list a number of circumstances in (a) through (g) that are taken into account, such as the individual's personal and family circumstances and his or her net income or earnings. However, we believe that weight should also be given to people's financial circumstances, particularly when they are over-indebted. The circumstance would impact significantly on a person's ability to repay the debt owed to the State and at a level that is still enables the person to secure an adequate income. This is why we put forward the amendment.