Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is seeking money from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; her views on whether it is acceptable to seek repayment of €75 per week from their disability pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1617/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. The Department is obliged to make all reasonable efforts to recover debts owing to it. The person concerned incurred an overpayment of €51,305.00 covering the period 6 January 2005 to 17 March 2010 as he was working while in receipt of invalidity pension and did not have permission to do so.

In a letter dated 26 October 2012 the person in question indicated that he would begin repayments of a manageable amount each week. Taking into account contents of his letter and his household income, a deciding officer made a decision to request repayments of €75.00 per week. Having contacted the department on 3 January 2013 regarding the deduction amount being too high, the person concerned was requested to write in with full details of his ability to repay. As soon as this letter is received, the overpayment recovery plan will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome.