Department may have to write off monies owed

RISING levels of welfare appeals have led to fears the Department of Social Protection will have to do a huge write-down of money owed by overpaid dole recipients.

Some welfare claimants have been overpaid by as much as €77,000 but the department is having difficulty clawing back funds.

The head of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday voiced concern that the levels of debt written off by the department will rise in the coming months and years.