Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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322. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if agreement can be reached in respect of an overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17392/14]

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.

It is the Department's policy to pursue all debts with the aim of recouping the money owed within the shortest possible timeframe. To this end, the department may withhold any arrears due to a customer and/or implement weekly deductions of up to 15% of the personal rate payable to the customer.

When determining a recovery plan, due consideration is given to the cause, magnitude and age of the debt; previous efforts made by the customer to repay the debt and the current financial circumstances of each customer.

A letter issued to the person concerned on 17 January 2014 proposing to recover his debt to the department by withholding arrears of invalidity pension of €4,401.99 due to him and to recover the balance of the debt through weekly deductions of €29.00 from his invalidity pension payment. He was offered the opportunity to comment on the proposal and to provide relevant facts and circumstances that he wished to be considered prior to a recovery plan being implemented. A return addressed envelope was enclosed for his convenience.

To date, the person has not provided any information about his current financial circumstances or any comment on the Department’s proposals to recover the debt. This information is required in order to devise an appropriate recovery plan with the person concerned input. An alternative repayment plan cannot be considered until the requested information is received. Once received the Department will revisit the recovery plan.