Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 received no social welfare payment for three weeks from 26 March 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28016/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned submitted an application for state pension (non-contributory) which was awarded with effect from 26 March 2014, with weekly payments commencing from 18 April 2014.

At the time of notification of the pension award, the person concerned was informed that the Department proposed to withhold the due pension arrears, for the three week period up to 18 April 2014, under the applicable legislation to offset against an outstanding unemployment assistance overpayment which the person had incurred, and which had been partially repaid. The person was given the opportunity to respond to this debt recovery proposal. The Recovery Officer decided that, having considered the documentation submitted relating to the person’s financial situation at that time, withholding of the arrears for the three week period was appropriate in this case.

Documentation recently submitted by the Deputy to the Department’s Debt Management Unit on behalf of the person concerned, seeking a reduction in the weekly rate of deductions being applied in this case, is being considered by a Recovery Officer. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.