Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has investigated further the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11398/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for a Lone Parent's Allowance (now One-Parent-Family Payment) as a widowed person in October 1992. The Lone Parent Allowance (One Parent Family Payment) is a means tested payment. Neither she nor her late spouse had sufficient social insurance contributions paid to satisfy the qualifying conditions for a Widows Contributory Pension. She was awarded maximum rate Lone Parent's Allowance with effect from 27/11/1992.

In her application form for the Lone Parent's Allowance, the person concerned signed an undertaking to notify the Department of any changes to her circumstances which may affect her payment. In 1994, 1997 and 1998 she did advise the Department of changes of circumstances with regard to earnings from employment and her entitlement was reviewed accordingly.

In August 2010, it came to the Department's attention that she had, for a period of some years from 2005, increased earnings from employment in excess of the means limits for One-Parent-Family Payment, which had not been notified. A Deciding Officer determined that an overpayment had arisen for the person concerned from 7thJanuary 2005 to 16th September 2010 totalling €68,586.70, and this was communicated to her on 8th December 2010. A letter also issued in relation to the overpayment, and the range of repayment options available.

The Department is willing to discuss an appropriate method and rate of repayment with the person concerned, with due regard to her financial circumstances.