Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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649. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will respond to a query raised in relation to recoupment of an overpayment of a pension (non-contributory) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15012/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I note that details of a specific case have not been provided in this instance.

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension (contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, at application stage and at review intervals, a claimant must provide complete and up to date details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments held. At all times, recipients of state pension (non-contributory) are obliged to notify the Department of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement. At pension award stage, a list of reportable changes is provided, as well as subsequent review communications.

The current provisions in relation to claim reviews (revised decisions) and the recovery of sums overpaid can be found in Parts 10 and 11 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) and Part 9 of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007.

Response times in relation to correspondence regarding estate cases can vary and are dependent on the circumstances of the individual case, the range and nature of the outstanding matters to be finalised.

I trust this clarifies the matter.