Vol. 421 No. 8
233 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the amount of money paid out under the social welfare code by way of incorrect or fraudulent claims in each of the years between 1987 and 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comprehensive data and analysis on overpayments is included in the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which is published together with the certified Appropriation Accounts. The most recent such report to be published is in respect of the year 1990.
The increasing trend in overpayments figures reflects, in part, the increasing level of overall scheme expenditure and the improved monitoring and control procedures operating within my Department. While every effort is made to ensure that overpayments are kept to a minimum, the improved controls reflect a continued commitment to identify all overpayments.
The level of overpayments must, however, be placed in the context of the overall value of transactions processed by my Department. For example, in the year 1990, total overpayments amounted to less than half of 1 per cent of total scheme expenditure.
The information requested is set out in the following tabular statement:
|
Year |
Fraud |
Non Fraud |
Total (Net of all cancellations) |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1987 |
5,365,512 |
2,691,850 |
8,057,362 |
|
1988 |
7,724,424 |
3,270,795 |
10,995,219 |
|
1989 |
6,520,214 |
2,541,404 |
9,061,618 |
|
1990 |
7,441,269 |
3,365,249 |
10,806,518 |
|
1991 |
6,583,928 |
4,366,345 |
10,950,273 |
