Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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761. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the arrangements in relation to collecting money in respect of alleged overpayments to a person (details supplied) will be re-examined in view of the fact that a freedom of information request is currently in the system from the person concerned and that the matter will be dealt with by the person as urgently as possible once this information has been made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32838/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In response to information received by my Department, an investigation of payments to the person concerned was undertaken by the Special Investigations Unit. The outcome of the investigation resulted in decisions being made under the Social Welfare Acts. My Department has written to the person concerned advising her of the outcome, her rights to seek an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and of the amount of overpayment assessed.

My understanding is that an appeal has not been made to date and that the Department has no record of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from the individual concerned. The Deputy may wish to note that receipt of a request under the FOI Acts does not interfere in any way with the statutory processes underpinning the administration of the social welfare system.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.