Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person’s (details supplied) travel pass will be reinstated. [53344/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that Free Travel was re-instated for the person concerned on 10th November 2023. A Public Services Card with Companion Free Travel was issued to the person concerned on the same date. An official of my Department has spoken to the person concerned and it was confirmed that the card has been received.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

The legislation provides that a carer can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention to a care recipient where that care recipient is undergoing medical or other treatment of a temporary nature in a hospital, nursing or convalescent home, for a period not exceeding 13 weeks.

Following a review of their payment, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA for a period from 2 June 2022 to 26 April 2023 as the care recipient had entered a care home. As a result, it was determined that CA and the Carer's Support Grant (CSG) were overpaid during this period.

The person concerned was notified on 27 July 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt was enclosed.

The Department is obliged to seek recovery of debts owed to it as quickly as possible, having due regard to the circumstances of the debtor.

The total overpayment incurred for CA and CSG is €7,934.00. The person concerned also incurred a debt on their Domiciliary Care Allowance of €3,298.90. The total debt owed to the Department is €11,147.90. This is currently being repaid at an agreed rate of €5 per week.

My Department's Central Debt Recovery Unit issued correspondence to the person concerned on 20th November regarding the current low value repayment and suggested a higher repayment amount of €17 per week. However, in light of the person's circumstances, my Department will arrange for the lower repayment rate to continue as previously agreed.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.