John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

538. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a fuel allowance payment was made to a person (details supplied). [27501/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A revised decision in this gentleman’s case has resulted in an overpayment being assessed against him in respect of Disability Allowance payments he received while absent from the State from 13 March 2016 to 01 November 2016. An appeal against this decision is currently with the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and an oral appeal hearing is being scheduled. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.

The Department is obliged to recoup any debt to it in an appropriate and timely manner and this includes the setting off of arrears due against the debt. The person concerned has been awarded Free Fuel Allowance from 2 November 2016 but arrears cannot be processed until the person in question has had their appeal heard and entitlement has been established.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.