Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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161. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way in which and when an overpayment occurred in respect of a person (details supplied) receiving carer's allowance. [7894/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Carer’s allowance (CA) was awarded to the person concerned from 5 August 1999 to provide full-time care and attention to her parents. She was awarded a reduced rate due to her husband’s earnings from employment. When her late father died in October 1999, her CA should have ceased as her means were in excess of the statutory limit for a person caring for one care recipient.

Due to a Departmental error, payment of CA continued. When it was realised that this had happened, her CA was stopped and a debt amounting to €3,638.64 was assessed against the person concerned in respect of overpayment of CA.

Due to budgetary changes, the person concerned requalified for CA from 5 April 2001 and deductions were made from her weekly payments and offset against her debt. In addition, a deduction was made from arrears of domiciliary care allowance which was recently awarded to her.

My Department has now re-examined this case and it has been decided that, because the person concerned could not reasonably have known that she was being overpaid after her father's death in 1999, the debt should now been cancelled.

Arrangements are being made to refund all monies deducted to date from her social welfare payments and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.