Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Social Welfare Overpayments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Ceisteanna (63)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

63. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the recovery of overpayments for social welfare; the amount outstanding for persons that are unemployed; the amount outstanding for persons in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53323/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Where an overpayment is raised, the Department is obligated to make every effort to recover sums overpaid. All debts owing to the Department, are repayable in full. The Department does not apply interest or penalties on the amounts owing.

The general approach to debt recovery is that the value of an on-going deduction from a personal rate of payment or a regular instalment arrangement does not impose undue financial hardship, is consistent with what the person can afford to repay and allows the debt to be recovered within a reasonable timeframe.

A number of methods, or a combination of methods, may be used to recover debt, including:

- deduction from ongoing and future social welfare payments;

- withholding arrears of social welfare payments;

- offset against other entitlements;

- payment by lump sum(s);

- regular or instalment payments;

- attachment of financial assets or wages; and

- settlement of the estate of a deceased customer.

Recoveries for 2017 amounted to €81.4m and, to end of October 2018, totalled €66.4m.

As at end of October 2018, the outstanding balance due to the Department was €475.4 million in respect of approximately 156, 000 individual debts.

The amount outstanding by persons currently in receipt of a social welfare payment from the Department is €191.3 million in respect of approximately 149,700 individual debts and €284.1 million in respect of approximately 106,500 individual debts for persons not currently in receipt of a payment the Department.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Barr
Roinn