Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances in which overpayment of child benefit took place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26516/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Child benefit was originally awarded to the person concerned under EU Regulations from 1/4/2008 in respect of her two children who were resident in Poland at the time. Payment was awarded based on her employment in this State.

Payment was stopped from 1/1/2009 when she failed to reply to correspondence. No further correspondence was received until November 2012, when she lodged a further claim for child benefit in respect of her daughter. As the person concerned had ceased employment on 21/5/2008, her entitlement to child benefit ceased on 31/5/2008 and an overpayment amounting to €2,324.00 was assessed for the period 1/6/2008 to 31/12/2008. Correspondence issued on 13/2/2013 advising her of the overpayment, proposing a method of recovering the amount due and advising that if she considered this decision incorrect to forward any further documentary evidence that she considered relevant. She was also advised of her right to appeal. A reply was received to the effect that she agreed to the overpayment recovery proposal.

No claim was received in respect of her son. He is now over the age of 18 and therefore does not qualify for child benefit.