Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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670. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the overpayment being taken from the weekly supplementary welfare allowance of a person (details supplied) can be reduced to avoid hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61754/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. SWA Payments are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

According to Department records, the person concerned applied for basic SWA on the 23/06/2025. Where a person has an outstanding overpayment with the Department, 15% of any social welfare payment is automatically deducted from their weekly payment. The customer has the opportunity to bring any concerns that they may have in relation to the reoccurring deduction to the attention of the CWO at the time of their in-person interview, or on receipt of their award letter.

In this case I have arranged that the relevant CWO will contact the person concerned to discuss their debt repayment arrangements, and make adjustments if appropriate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.