Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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502. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for an overpayment amounting to €5,063 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23565/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the carer is not engaged in employment or self-employment outside their home.

However, where a carer can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient in their absence, a carer may engage in employment, self-employment, education or training courses as long as the duration of these combined activities do not exceed 15 hours per week up to 31 December 2019 or 18.5 hours per week from 1 January 2020.

Following a review, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA for a period from 15 October 2015 to 10 February 2016 as she was engaged in employment outside her home in excess of 15 hours per week over several weeks in this period. As a result, it was determined that she has been overpaid €3888.20 during this period.

The person concerned was notified on 21 March 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt was enclosed.

On 30 June 2020 an additional review took place. Following this review it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA for a period from 2 January 2020 to 18 March 2020 as she was engaged in employment outside her home in excess of 18.5 hours per week over several weeks in this period. As a result, it was determined that she has been overpaid €1175.00 during this period.

The person concerned was notified on 28 July 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt was enclosed.

The Department is obliged to seek recovery of debts owed to it as quickly as possible, having due regard to the circumstances of the debtor.

Following on from both reviews the total overpayment incurred is €5063.20.

Accordingly, my Department’s Debt Recovery Unit wrote to the person concerned on 3 September 2020, seeking a repayment of €30 weekly.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.