Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Overpayments

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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2061. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has received further information requested in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of their alleged overpayment; if arrangements have been put in place to alleviate the impact having regard to their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28369/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person is currently repaying €30.60 per week in respect of her overpayment. Under social welfare legislation, a weekly deduction of up to 15% of the personal rate of a social welfare payment can be deducted in order to recover the debt due to my Department.

In determining a recovery plan, consideration is given to the size of the debt, the cause of the debt, previous efforts to repay the debt and the level of income and expenditure of the household.

My Department wrote to the person concerned on 11 May 2017 requesting that she provide specific documentation within 21 days in order to allow us give further consideration to the impact of the debt repayment schedule currently in place in respect of her overpayment.

Deductions were suspended pending receipt of this information. The person concerned failed to submit required documentation within the specified time frame. It is still open to the person concerned to submit information as per letter dated 11 May 2017 and my Department will take all information into consideration. In the meantime, her repayment of €30.60 will be reinstated immediately.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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