Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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398. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason an overpayment of lone parents allowance of approximately €24,000 was made to a person (details supplied) between the years 1999 and 2003, in view of the fact that this person was working at the time they applied for lone parents allowance and would have disclosed all means at the time of application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9264/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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One Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a means tested payment and earnings from employment are assessable as means. The customer concerned was awarded OPFP from 2^nd April 1998.

I can confirm that at the time of applying for the scheme this customer was not in employment. Subsequently, however, she commenced employment but failed to notify this Department. On the 6th January 2004 this Department informed the customer of the decision to assess an overpayment for the period 8^th April 1999 to the 4^th June 2003, due to means from employment. The customer was also advised at the time of her right to appeal this decision.