Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 9 December 2021

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

9:30 am

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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I thank Mr. McCarthy for his presentation. Before I call Mr. McKeon, it is important to note that the committee very much appreciates that some of what we will examine today will have happened due to the pandemic. That is the introduction of the PUP scheme at very short notice. The amount of work and effort that went into getting the scheme up and running very quickly was a significant factor in avoiding distress for many people. I thank the officials in the Department for the huge effort. I acknowledge the point made by the Comptroller and Auditor General that this was a major achievement.

I invite Mr. McKeon to make his opening statement.