Michael Healy-Rae
Question:657. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40685/23]
View answerWednesday, 20 September 2023
Questions (657)
Written answers
The person concerned was recently awarded Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) in respect of their child.
As the applicant had a debt of €20,336.30 owing to the Department, the local Debt Recovery Unit (DRU) wrote to the applicant on 26 July 2023 proposing to withhold the DCA payment arrears of €660.00 owing to them, for partial recovery of the outstanding debt and they were allowed 21 days to respond to this proposal.
A further written communication was issued from the local DRU to the person concerned on 28 August 2023, advising that it was proposed to commence weekly deductions of €30.00 from their social protection payment. The person concerned was also allowed 21 days to respond to this proposal. This proposed weekly deduction plan referred to the Carer's Allowance (CA) payment which is currently in payment to the person concerned.
As no response was received from the person concerned to date, relating to the above written communications, the DCA arrears were offset against their debt. The department has also implemented weekly deductions amounting to €30.00 on the claimant's weekly CA payment, with effect from 14 September 2023.
As per the Department's records, the relevant person's outstanding Debt balance is currently €19303.45
For the purpose of debt recovery, the withholding of arrears without the consent of the person concerned is permitted under Statutory Instrument No 142 of 2007. Where a person is in receipt of a weekly social protection payment, their weekly payment can be reduced by up to 15% of their personal rate without their consent, as provided for in legislation.
In relation to debt recovery the department does consider factors such as a person's circumstances, capacity to repay and other relevant facts.
If the person concerned is experiencing undue financial difficulty as a consequence of the above debt recovery plan, they should complete and return the form A, that issued along with the written communication of 28 August 2023, so that their debt recovery plan can be reviewed. The local DRU will engage with them and consider any resulting financial burden.
Any new repayment plan applied must be reasonable to the person concerned and the Department.
As with all debts owed to the Department, every effort must be made to recover debts.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.