A Lifford woman who fraudulently claimed almost €12,000 in social welfare payments has appeared in court.
Aimee Cuddy was before Letterkenny District Court in respect of the matter.
The court heard that Cuddy, of Camrose House, Inchenagh, Lifford, failed to notify the Department of a change in her circumstances.
Her solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said that his client was in employment in Northern Ireland when the overpayment was made to her.
Mr Murphy said that Cuddy, a 28-year-old, “fully accepts” the matter before the court.
He said Cuddy proposed to pay €10,000 immediately, a sum he said her mother and father were “willing to briefly loan” to his client.
“It was a foolish mistake and she is willing to make full repayments,” Mr Murphy said.
Cuddy, who has no previous convictions, was before the court charged with contravening article 188 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 in that she failed to notify the Minister of a change in circumstances, that she commenced employment and affected her entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Cuddy was charged that she committed an offence under article 109 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007.
State Solicitor for Donegal, Mr Kieran Dillon, said that the balance outstanding was €11,850.12.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that an offer to repay €10,000 represented a “significant amount” but stressed that the remainder of the money “must be paid”.
“It is a serious matter,” Judge Cunningham said.
The case was adjourned to May 6 for finalisation.
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