Ivor Callely
Question:54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the policy to recover moneys incorrectly paid to social welfare recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
Overpayments of social welfare can arise for a variety of reasons, including fraud or suspected fraud on the part of claimants as well as errors in the provision of information and in the processing of claims. It is the policy of my Department to try to recover in full all moneys incorrectly paid. Since 1996 a code of practice has been in place to regulate this process. The code provides that due account be taken of the interests of taxpayers and social insurance contributors, including employers, who finance the various social welfare payments, as well as the ability of the person to pay. The code gives guidance in relation to the method and pace of recovery and the circumstances whereby an overpayment assessed against a person may be deferred, suspended, reduced or cancelled. In particular, the code stipulates that the repayment of an overpayment assessed against a person may be reduced or cancelled where it arose because of an error by the Department or a health board and where the person concerned could not reasonably have been expected to be aware of the error or failure. I am satisfied that the current code of practice governing the assessment and recovery process regulates the various elements in a fair and consistent manner.