Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the information supplied by way of parliamentary question previously has been withheld from the relevant section in view of the correspondence dated 13 February 2017 indicating the intention to withhold the entire underpayment of €477.70 and further weekly deduction from their disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11004/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The information provided to my Department previously by the Deputy was available to the debt recovery unit. My Department is obliged to recoup any debt to it in an appropriate and timely manner and has attempted to contact this lady on multiple occasions regarding proposals for recovery, including the setting off of arrears due against the debt and the commencement of weekly deductions to cover the remaining balance of the debt.

However, there has been no response to any of these correspondence, my Department proceeded to deduct the arrears of disability allowance from the outstanding debt and commenced weekly deductions from 22 February 2017. Notification of this decision issued on 13 February 2017. No response has been received to date.

On the basis of this representation by the Deputy, the weekly deductions will be suspended for two weeks in order that this lady can submit an income and expenditure sheet. On receipt of this information, proposals for recovery of the outstanding debt can be negotiated. If there is no response from the person concerned within the stated time frame, deductions will automatically recommence at the previous rate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.