Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline the reason a breakdown that was requested on behalf a person (details supplied) in respect of a social protection overpayment has not been provided, in view of the fact that this breakdown was requested in 2015; the reason the person has been issued with further notification to repay the debt when this breakdown has not been received as requested; if he will confirm that this breakdown will issue in order for the person to examine the way these arrears have been calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32666/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 30 March 2000 to 21 October 2009 in respect of one care recipient.

Following a review, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA from 30 August 2007 to 1 August 2008 as she was working for more than 15 hours per week outside the home, contrary to the conditions for receipt of payment and that she had been paid €6,115.00 to which she was not entitled during this period.

The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2008 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt issued with the decision.

Weekly deductions of €5.00 commenced on 19 February 2009 from her carer’s allowance payment until that payment ceased on 21 October 2009.

On 6 October 2016, the person concerned was notified that she had been overpaid jobseeker’s allowance (JA) by €958.60. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt issued with the decision.

The combined debts outstanding are now €5,745.27.

The Department is obliged to recover debt owed to it as quickly as possible, having due regard to the circumstances of the debtor.

Accordingly my Department’s Debt Recovery Unit wrote to the person concerned on 7 October 2016, seeking a repayment of €100 weekly.

I will arrange for a breakdown of both these debts to re-issue to the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.