PAC to quiz Welfare dept chiefs on fraud measures

on 14/03/2013 08:17:59

The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will be examining the accounts of the Department of Social Welfare today.

A report released by the Department last week showed that there had been a significant rise in the number of people reporting social welfare fraud, from over 16,000 cases in 2011 to nearly 30,000 in 2012.

PAC Chairman John McGuinness said the committee will be looking at what the department is doing to combat fraudulent payments.

"The outstanding debt to the department, in terms of overpayments, fraud and so on… has grown significantly since 2007 when it stood at a level of €232m," Deputy McGuinness said.

"In 2011 it stood at €343.4m… we will get the opportunity today to question the secretary general of the department, and the officials, as to what action they are taking to recover this money.2