Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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407. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if payments in respect of an overpayment can be reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44735/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 18 February 2015 and their first payment was on 6 May 2015.

Following a review and subsequent appeal of the review decision, they were found to have means not previously disclosed to the Department and an overpayment was raised against them. If they wish to have the current repayments reduced they can request it in writing to the Department's Debt Recovery Unit (DRU), Department of Social Protection, Longford Centralised Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford stating their reasons. They should include any documentary evidence they have to support their request and the request will be considered by that unit.

On 6 August 2021 the person concerned was informed in writing that their application for living alone allowance (LAA) was refused as she was not found to be living alone. Her free fuel (FF) allowance was also stopped as her household no longer qualified for payment of FF.

New application forms for LAA and FF have issued to the person concerned and the Department will review her current entitlement on receipt of the completed application forms. She may also be eligible for the telephone support allowance (TSA) which is paid automatically if she is found to be entitled to both LAA and FF. She is currently in receipt of the full personal rate of DA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.