I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 16 together.
In 2010, total overpayments amounted to €83.4 million representing 0.41% of total Departmental expenditure. Overpayments arising from suspected fraudulent activity amounted to less than 0.1% of total Departmental expenditure in 2010. It is important to emphasise, therefore, that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them each week, a point that tends to be lost in some of the media reports around this issue.
There are essentially 3 elements to the work of the Department namely income support payments, activation support and services, and control of fraud and abuse. It is vital that a balance is maintained between these 3 elements and that any initiatives in the control area take full account of income poverty. As I have said on a number of occasions, the Department processes in excess of 2 million applications each year and makes payments to some 1.4 million people each week. I want to emphasise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them. I therefore agree with the Deputy that issues in relation to fraud and abuse should always be reported in a fair and balanced way.
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department. As the Deputies may be aware, I recently launched a new Fraud Initiative (2011-2013) which is aimed at putting in place a range of actions to combat fraud and abuse of the social welfare system and to ensure that public confidence in the system is improved.
Those customers who are aware that they are being, or have been, overpaid by the Department should contact their local social welfare office without delay. An overpayment recovery plan, acceptable both to the customer and to the Department, will then be agreed. I therefore have no plans to introduce an amnesty for customers as suggested by the Deputy as I do not consider this to be an appropriate response. The Department is fully committed to recovering 100% of overpayments arising as a result of suspected fraud or error. Effective debt recovery is seen as an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming.
Most social welfare customers fully declare their means and circumstances and, therefore, do not receive more than their entitlements. From an equity perspective, it is also important that the Department seeks to recover overpayments where they occur. An overpayment debt will remain on the customer's records until fully recovered. This will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, the Department will have a claim on any estate remaining.