Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of overpayments made in 2018; the number and percentage of same which was a result of fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15532/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The majority of people in receipt of a payment from my Department receive what they are entitled to.  Nevertheless, my Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system is an on-going reality and must be tackled proactively.  The Department’s anti-fraud and control measures are designed to prevent and detect fraud, ensure effective oversight of schemes, pursue the prosecution of offenders where appropriate and recover any overpaid entitlements identified.

Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended).  Where an overpayment is raised, my Department is obligated to make every effort to recover sums overpaid.

Overpayments arise in relation to past events where a Deciding Officer has sufficient evidence that a person has been paid an amount in excess of their entitlement for a given period.  This can arise where a person has received a payment at a rate above that which they should have received or where they are paid beyond the relevant date. 

Fraud overpayment cases arise mainly on foot of false declarations by customers concerning their employment, income or family status. 

In 2018, some 7,700 cases where an element of fraudulent activity was suspected and the associated value of these cases was €29.7 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.