Disability allowance

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has issued an apology after a "tone-deaf" letter demanding money was sent to a grieving mother. Advertisement.

Appearing later on the programme, Humphreys said Tracy should not have received such a letter and that she has raised the issue with her officials. “The letter said I owed them back the €208 because it was paid the day after he died and I shouldn’t have collected it because his social benefits end the day he died,” Tracy stated. The mother has said she was "appalled" and "hurt" by the letter.

The minister for social protection has apologised after a mother, whose son died last month after a lifelong battle with a profound disability, ...

She noted: ‘Disability payments are part of the household income and bills still need to be paid the same week as someone dies. We have to do better and we have to ensure it doesn’t happen again…and all I can do is apologise… and can I extend my deepest sympathy to Tracey on the loss of her dear son Brendan and my heart goes out to her.’ One mother who has a child with an intellectual disability said it was ‘absolutely heartless’ and ‘outrageous’. She has since learned that this applies only if the person was a spouse or partner. ‘She apologised for the tone of the letter…

Tracy McGinnis, whose son Brendan Bjorn McGinnis passed away on 17 May aged 17, was sent a letter by the Department of Social Protection seeking repayment of € ...

Pardon my language, but how f*cking dare you— Tracy 💜 ☮️📸 ✍🏼🏠🇮🇪 ❤️🇳🇴 (@AddressingLife) @welfare_ie @HHumphreysFGYes, I collected the mere €208 the week my 1st born son died, thinking pymts went on for 6wks. Speaking on the same programme, Humphreys said that the letter should not have been sent and that Tracy will not have to pay back the €208. In the post today.