Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is any evidence that another welfare amnesty would result in more revenue. [38643/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department which processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them.

Most social welfare customers fully declare their means and circumstances and, therefore, do not receive more than their entitlements. However, where a customer fails to fully declare their means or circumstances, they may receive payments to which they are not entitled and this can result in an overpayment. It is important that the Department seeks to recover overpayments where they occur and an overpayment debt will remain on the customer's records until fully recovered. This will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, the Department will have a claim on any estate remaining.

Customers who are aware that they are being, or have been overpaid by the Department should contact their local social welfare office without delay. An overpayment recovery plan, acceptable both to the customer and to the Department, will then be agreed.

I have no plans to introduce an amnesty for customers as I do not consider this to be an appropriate response. The Department is fully committed to recovering 100% of overpayments arising as a result of suspected fraud or error. Effective debt recovery and the prosecution of persons who defraud the social welfare system are an integral part of the deterrent approach to prevent abuse of the system. The Deputy may be aware that I recently launched a new Fraud Initiative (2011 – 2013) which is aimed at putting in place a range of actions to combat fraud and abuse of the social welfare system and to ensure there is public confidence and trust in the system.