John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51852/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was sent a Natural Justice letter on 18/9/23, advising that during the period 1/7/23 to 5/9/23, it had come to the departments attention that they had commenced work.

There was no reply to the letter dated 5/9/23 and the Deciding Officer submitted a revised decision and assessed an Overpayment on 28/9/23.

An overpayment letter issued advising of the reason and breakdown of the overpayment which totaled €140.00 to the person concerned on 20/10/23. A reduced deduction of €10 per week was proposed to recover the outstanding Debt, this recovery process is due to commence on or after 13/11/23.

As the Person Concerned is still working casually his personal rate will continue to be reduced by €5 for every day declared as employed as per his means assessment, this is in addition to the overpayment deduction.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51863/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was sent a Natural Justice letter on 18/9/23, advising that during the period 1/7/23 to 5/9/23, it had come to the departments attention that they had commenced work.

There was no reply to the letter dated 5/9/23 and the Deciding Officer submitted a revised decision and assessed an Overpayment on 28/9/23, .

An overpayment letter issued advising of the reason and breakdown of the overpayment which totaled €140.00 to the person concerned on 20/10/23. A reduced deduction of €10 per week was proposed to recover the outstanding Debt, this recovery process is due to commence on or after 13/11/23.

As the Person Concerned is still working casually his personal rate will continue to be reduced by €5 for every day declared as employed as per his means assessment, this is in addition to the overpayment deduction.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An ANP application can be made for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.

The person concerned applied for an ANP on 28/07/2023 to assist with funeral costs for their late wife. A letter subsequently issued to the person in which they were asked to provide further documentation in support of their claim. As this information was not received, the person’s application could not be progressed, and their claim was closed.

A new claim has been opened for the person concerned and a request for information issued to the person on 22/11/2023. Upon receipt of the requested information, the person’s application will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.