Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The next document to which I would like to refer is the Department's annual report for 2017 and annual target statement for 2018, under its 2014-18 compliance and anti-fraud strategy. The document in question is on the screen. I refer to page 23. I have to compliment the Department in this regard. I do not have a question on it. There have been annual increases in the value of the overpayments being recovered by the Department. The overall figure increased from €50 million in 2012 to €81 million last year. The Department has stepped up its collection of overpayments. There has been a great deal of discussion about this. Total overpayments in 2017 came to €111 million whereas, last year, overpayments of €81 million have been collected. The Department is heading towards a position where it might recover more in overpayments than it overpays. The gap is closing.