Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

While we have a duty to repay the money, if the Health Service Executive discovered that money had been fraudulently claimed, we also have a duty to make every effort to ensure it would be repaid. The system is similar to other appeal systems, where the relevant person would be notified if money may have been claimed and paid out under false pretences.

We would indicate that it had come to our attention that the person received money which he or she did not deserve. The normal procedure would be that they are asked to repay the money. We would hope that dialogue would be opened between the parties, and in the event of money not being paid, we could resort to the courts if required.

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