Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 33, line 13, after "196" to insert "whichever is the lesser amount".

This amendment relates to the rate of reduction that one will seek to recover from the person who is overpaid, having taken into account their circumstances, as provided for in the Bill. The Minister has discretion to choose between a rate that cannot exceed 15% of the net weekly income or an amount that would cause the person to become eligible for supplementary welfare allowance. We think the rate determined should be the lesser of the two amounts. That is a fair way forward. The Minister needs to have the powers for recovery but not at the expense of the person's ability due to inadequate income.