Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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853. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears will be paid out to a person (details supplied) following a review of their disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63425/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66.  This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions,

I can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 05 October 2022.

The person concerned has been awarded DA and Fuel allowance (FF) with effect from 05 October 2022.  This person was notified in writing of these decisions on 23 November 2022.  The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 14 December 2022.

Arrears of payment due from 05 October 2022 to 13 December 2022 issued to her on 14 December 2022 by her chosen payment method.  The arrears were less an adjustment applied in respect of an overlapping payment, Basic Supplement Welfare Allowance (BASI) and less an outstanding debt due to the department.

The withholding of arrears against an overpayment without the consent of the person concerned is permitted under statutory instrument No. 142 of 2007, as amended.  The person concerned has an outstanding debt of €699.63 due to the department.

A letter notifying the person concerned about the outstanding debt and the proposal to hold arrears of €699.63 issued to her on 14 December 2022.

My department is obliged to recoup any debt due to the department in an appropriate and timely manner and this includes the offsetting of any arrears due, against the debt.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.