699. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) where they are being requested to repay monies owed from rent supplement overpayments in 2012 which they have no recollection of receiving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45293/24]

700. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) where they are being requested to repay monies owed from one parent family payment overpayments of €3,203.57 to which they have no knowledge of owing these monies. [45294/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.

Persons who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Overpayments of social welfare entitlements can occur where a person provides false or misleading information in their application or through error on the part of either the claimant or the Department.

The person concerned had overpayments recorded on One Parent Family Payment (OFP) and Rent Supplement (RS). The overpayments amounted to €10,569.90, (OFP €9125.90 and RS €1,344). The current balance outstanding is €4,574.57, (OFP €3,203.57 and RS €1,344).

Repayments of almost €6,000 were made through deductions from various Social Welfare payments between 2010 – 2014, and through a standing order, set up by the person concerned, between 2014 – 2018. No repayments have been made since April 2018.

An annual statement of debt has issued to the person concerned since 2018 and the most recent correspondence (October 2024) relates to the outstanding debt balance and a request to contact the Department to arrange an acceptable repayment plan.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.