Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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482. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been in receipt of disability allowance for a number of years; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that following a review of the claim the person was advised by post on 22 September 2017 that they had been overpaid and on 19 October 2017 they were advised by post of the proposed weekly deductions in regard to repaying the overpayment; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a submission was then made to her Department in respect of the proposed level of deductions; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that following that submission her Department without warning or correspondence to the person ceased payment of disability allowance on 22 November 2017; the reason her Department ceased payment of the disability allowance; the reason a letter or explanation was not issued to the person by her Department following the decision to stop payment of the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51522/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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This gentleman was awarded disability allowance (DA) in 2002. A review of his entitlement was carried out on 22 September 2017 and it was established that the person concerned had means not previously disclosed to this Department. These means were derived from employment and private pension. A deciding officer decided that the person concerned had a reduced entitlement to DA. This resulted in an overpayment. The person concerned was given the right to appeal this decision within 21 days to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. No appeal was received in this case.

My Department is obliged to recoup any debt owed to it in an appropriate and timely manner. On 19 October 2017, a letter issued 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. To date there has been no response to this correspondence.

At that time, this gentleman’s spouse was in receipt of half rate carers allowance (CA) as he was claiming a qualified adult increase in respect of her. Following on from this review it transpired that the household would be financially better off if she were to receive full rate CA and therefore DA would no longer be payable in respect of her. Notification of this issued from CA section on 8 November 2017.

On 22 November 2017, this gentleman’s DA payment was stopped in error and letter of apology has issued. He has since been reinstated at the correct rate of payment for his family circumstances and a letter has issued informing him of his new rate of payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.