Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 379: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the roll-out of the new overpayments and debt management scheme; when he expects it to be operational across his full Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30550/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The overall goal of my Department's Debt Management Strategy is to actively pursue the recovery of debt to maximise recovery levels, with due regard to value for money and with particular emphasis on recovery from people no longer dependant on welfare payments. The objectives of the strategy are:

To maximise the recovery of overpayments

To efficiently record, report and monitor the occurrence and recovery of overpayments

To fulfil statutory, accounting and reporting obligations

To conduct overpayment and debt management as efficiently as possible

One of the key elements to the strategy is the introduction of the Overpayment and Debt Management (ODM) computer system which will record all overpayments and debt recovery data and allow for timely and efficient management of debt.

The new ODM system is now in operation in the Department's headquarter buildings in Dublin, Letterkenny, Longford and Sligo and is being rolled out on a phased basis to the remainder of the Department. It is expected that all areas will be using the new system by mid 2008.

The debt management strategy is based on having a clear policy on overpayments and debt management in the Department and making the organisational and procedural changes necessary to support this. Guidelines setting out debt management procedures and defining the responsibilities of areas in relation to debt management and debt management procedures are currently being finalised. These will issue shortly to ensure consistency across the Department in the process of debt recovery.