Kildare TD James Lawless Pays Back Following Pension Error While Martin Heydon Unaffected

Friday, 16 January 2026 12:37

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

It’s understood Kildare North TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has fully repaid an overpayment arising from incorrect pension deductions.

Ten ministers who haven't returned an overpayment made by the State are being criticised for not giving the money back yet.

It’s understood Kildare North TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has fully repaid an overpayment arising from incorrect pension deductions.

A number of Cabinet ministers were unaffected, as no overpayments were identified in their cases.

Those included Minister for Agriculture and Kildare South TD Martin Heydon.

The issue around incorrect pension deductions first emerged last June.

It’s understood the error stemmed from a miscalculation in how pension contributions were applied.

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