Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Public Accounts Committee
2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 38 – Social Protection
Chapter 21 – Expenditure on Welfare and Employment Schemes
Chapter 22 – Welfare Overpayment Debts
Chapter 23 – Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Social Insurance Fund – Annual Accounts 2011
12:55 pm
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The critical issue here at the Committee of Public Accounts is how the Department spends taxpayers' money and how it is accounted for. That is the critical issue about which I have to be concerned. I would like to rely on the fact that Departments in general count what they are doing and have a return and a proper audit trail and proper figures to substantiate the payments that are being made. I do not see that here. In terms of the extension to the free scheme regarding eligibility, I note that the Department bought out at a negotiated amount. Will the Secretary General please explain that to me?