Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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420. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the ongoing review into an alleged overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36037/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the Deputy’s Dáil Questions No. 1148 and No. 237.  In initiating a review of the overpayment the person concerned was asked to provide her end of year payslips and those of her spouse for the years 2014 to 2020.  An official from the Ballyfermot Intreo Centre phoned the person concerned on 14/06/2022 requesting these documents.  A letter confirming the request also issued on 14/06/2022 in which the person was asked to provide the payslips within two weeks and was further advised to contact officials if she was experiencing difficulty in accessing this documentation.  When the person did not respond to the correspondence a reminder letter issued on 28/06/2022.   

To date the person concerned has not provided any documentation or contacted my officials.  It is important that the person concerned engages with my officials and provides the requested information to ensure a thorough review can take place.  The person should contact my officials in Ballyfermot by email, at Ballyfermot@welfare.ie, if she is experiencing difficulty in accessing the payslips.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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421. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are any circumstances in which a claim for fuel allowance by a person (details supplied) will be backdated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36056/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel Allowance is an administrative (non-statutory) scheme, and is awarded only from date of receipt of fuel application. 

The person concerned submitted an application for fuel allowance on 13 June 2022 and it was awarded from 15 June 2022.  

Based on the information provided to the Department, I can confirm that in this case the Department has backdated the award of fuel allowance for 6 months from the date of receipt of the application.  Fuel allowance is only payable during the fuel season from October to April. 

Consequently, the person concerned was awarded fuel allowance with effect from 29 December 2021.  Arrears of fuel allowance for the period from 29 December 2021 to 12 April 2022 issued on 30 June 2022.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.