Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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476. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a request by a person (details supplied) to backdate a payment will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51474/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This customer is on a means tested pension and requested a review in April 2016 of the rate of pension paid to her. Having regard to the information provided by her, the case was referred to an inspector for investigation. On foot of this investigation and the information provided by the customer to the inspector, the rate of pension payable was actually reduced and the customer was given the right to have the decision reviewed and/or appealed if they wished. On foot of further information provided by the Deputy, which included farm accounts, it was agreed to immediately give the customer the benefit of the maximum rate of pension from a current date pending a review by the inspector of their earlier assessment and the farm accounts actually provided.

Given the particular circumstances, the inspector was keen to interview further the person concerned in relation to the information which they had originally provided in order that a definitive decision could be made. The customer was written to in this regard at the end of October but has not responded to date. Further efforts will be made to contact the customer this week in order that a definitive decision can be made as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.