I'M SORRY WE GOT IT WRONG

Minister's apology to grieving mum after demand for money

- PAT FLANAGAN

A MINISTER apologised ing mother yesterday deaf" letter demanding her the day after the death of her teenage son.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys admitted "we got it wrong" and said it should never have been sent out.

Tracy McGinnis was a full-time carer to her son Brendan and his death last month at the age of 17 has left her convulsed by grief.

And her pain was added to when she received a letter from the Department of Social Protection demanding repayment of €208 from the disability allowance she had been paid the day after Brendan's death.

Ms. McGinnis broke down in tears as she told Anton Savage on Newstalk Radio yesterday how she felt "shocked, appalled, and angry" when she read the letter.

Ms. Humphreys admitted her department had made a disastrous mistake in its dealings with Ms. McGinnis.