Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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445. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31152/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A disability allowance overpayment of €40,285.00 for the period 8/8/07 to 6/8/13 was incurred in this case. An appeal of the case to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office was disallowed in March 2018. The Appeals Officer, however, recommended that the Department be cognisant of the personal circumstances of the person concerned in seeking recovery. A figure of not more than €15 per week was suggested as an appropriate rate of recovery.

Recovery of the overpayment was suspended at the time of the appeal. Deductions of €30 per week were made from pension payments from 2/10/15 to 12/5/16. Following detailed information received from the customer in relation to both medical and financial difficulties, deductions were suspended to allow them time to resolve some of these issues, including the repayment of an outstanding loan.

A letter issued to the customer on 29/5/2023 proposing pension deductions of €20 per week for the recovery of the outstanding balance of the overpayment. Following contact made by the customer with the Department on 12/6/23, it was agreed that deductions would be reduced to €15 per week.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.