An 84-year-old woman who received a cheque for €1,591 because of a mistake by the Inland Revenue Department should not pay for that error, Labour MP Silvio Parnis has said in Parliament.

In a parliamentary question, Silvio Parnis asked the Minister of Finance to look into the case of the woman, who, he explained, had received €1,591 from the Inland Revenue Department, only to be told after some time that it was a mistake and the money should be returned.

Mr Parnis said he did not feel that an 84-year-old woman should pay for the mistake of the department. A younger woman would be able to work in order to pay the money, but this was needless worry for an elderly woman.

Replying, the minister said the woman and her relatives had been given explanations several times. After realising its mistake, the Inland Revenue Department asked for the money to be sent back.

Mr Fenech said he was sure that Mr Parnis realised that while it would have been unfair for the department to demand money which were not due, it was unfair on the other taxpayers had the woman been allowed to pocket the money she was not entitled for.

The age of the person was not relevant. The fact that the woman was 84 did not mean that she could keep money which did not belong to her, Mr Fenech said.