Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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216. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the manner in which an overpayment occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); if a nominal amount of repayment can be agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24728/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned incurred two separate jobseeker's allowance overpayments. The first overpayment amounts to €915.32 and covers the period 20/3/18 to 6/5/18 and occurred as the person concerned failed to inform the Department that the adult dependant had two employers.  The second overpayment amounts to €1,752, covering the period 1/8/18 to 1/11/18 and occurred as the person concerned failed to inform the Department that the adult dependant was absent from the state.

The person concerned has entered into an agreement with the Department to repay the debts by direct debit of €50 per week with effect from 7/6/19.

If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship with the recovery plan as agreed.  It is open to her to contact her local Intreo Centre and renegotiate an alternative recovery plan, better suited to her current circumstances.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an alleged overpayment in case of a person (details supplied) is eligible for late appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24731/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a working family payment appeal by the person concerned was referred on 6 June 2019 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.