Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Public Accounts Committee
2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 16 - Expenditure on Welfare and Employment Schemes
Chapter 17 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 18 - Welfare Overpayment Debts
Chapter 19 - Domiciliary Care Allowance
Chapter 20 - Invalidity Pension
Social Insurance Fund Annual Accounts 2012
12:55 pm
Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:
Absolutely. A number of years ago when we had this conversation at the committee, I signalled that we were considering taking a multi-strand approach to recovering debt. The 15% provision was one element, among others. We are seeking to pursue everything we can and it is all about trying to protect the Exchequer. Ultimately, we want to try to ensure overpayments do not occur in the first instance.