James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total amount repaid to the State from fraudulent social welfare claims in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4010/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Overpayments arise in circumstances where a person is in receipt of a social welfare payment in excess of their actual entitlement. Overpayments are categorised as fraud, non-fraud or estate cases.

Fraud cases arise mainly on foot of false declarations by customers concerning their employment, income or family status. Non-fraud cases are primarily due to customer or departmental error. Estate cases arise where undisclosed means by customers (usually pensioners) come to light after their deaths.

People who have received an overpayment from the Department have a liability under law to refund the amounts involved. Recoveries are not categorised by whether the original overpayment was fraud or error.

In 2013, the total value of debt recoveries amounted to €70.7m.

The Department is not yet in a position to publicly comment on recoveries recorded in 2014 as these figures form part of the statutory accounts of the Department and are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.