Retired civil servants overpaid by €70,000

OVERPAYMENTS of almost €70,000 were made in error to 18 retired civil servants for annual leave entitlements they did not take during their careers.

The overpayments were uncovered after the Department of Finance ordered a review in 30 government departments last July.

It had been notified by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) John Purcell after his discovery of payments being made for untaken leave above what was allowed. In Department of Finance rules, leave can not be carried over for more than three years.