Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1193. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a further review of entitlements in respect of carer's and jobseeker's allowances can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4952/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is obliged to recover all debt owed to it as quickly as possible and within the relevant legislation and guidelines governing the recovery of debt. The person concerned has an outstanding debt and proposals on its recovery have been made to her.

Under social welfare legislation, a weekly deduction of 15% of the personal rate of all payments can be deducted without written consent in order to recover a debt owing to the Department. It is being proposed to withhold on a weekly basis €32.85 from the person concerned CA payment.

In order to give consideration to a lesser amount being recovered weekly as requested and to be able to determine a recovery plan, consideration is given to the size of the debt, the cause of the debt, previous efforts to repay the debt, and the level of income and expenditure of the household.

I am advised that a letter issued on 13 March 2020 requesting the person concerned to provide details of her weekly income and expenditure in order for the recovery plan to be reviewed.

Once the details as requested have been received the debt recovery officer will be in a position to reconsider the weekly amount to be recovered.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.