Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

741. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a deduction is being made from the disability allowance payment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15286/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following a successful appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO), the person concerned was awarded a reduced amount of disability allowance (DA) with effect from 30 January 2019.

DA is a means-tested payment. Means were assessed from the employment of the person concerned. On 4 September 2019 following a review, this lady was awarded an increased rate of DA as her earnings had decreased and arrears of allowance due issued to her.

A further review was carried out on 1 November 2019 and the person concerned was notified that her rate of DA remained unchanged. She was also notified of her right to seek a review of this decision or appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person concerned received child benefit for her daughter for a period when the child no longer resided with her. As a result, she was not entitled to payment for the period in question and a revised decision was made disallowing child benefit from August to October 2006.

This resulted in an overpayment of €450. The person concerned was notified of the decision and the overpayment amount in November 2006. This debt is no longer owing to the department and was fully recovered prior to the commencement of DA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.