Is the Minister aware that in some cases her Department issued payments to recipients who ceased to be eligible? Sometimes a parent cashes these cheques, not knowing that eligibility has ceased, but attempts are then made by the Department to recoup the money. Does the Minister consider that this is a fair practice in view of the fact that the errors emanated from her Department?

The Deputy has asked a completely separate question from that which Deputy Foley put down and I could not go into details at present. There are difficulties in those circumstances and it is not the only area where problems arise. However, it is difficult to see how one could justify not attempting to reclaim money which was overpaid and which, by the very nature of its overpayment, was not needed. Unfortunately, a detailed answer is not available at present.