Amnesty for overpaid social welfare claims ‘could net €55m’

A Sinn Féin TD has admitted he knows of welfare claimants cheating the system but said there must be an amnesty for overpayments — a move that could save the State €55m per year.

Sinn Féin social protection spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said dole claimants had told him they were being overpaid but were afraid to correct the mispayments in case sanctions are applied.

His party estimates up to 10,000 welfare claimants could come forward and admit they are getting overpaid by the State if an amnesty is introduced. Correcting their payments could save €55m a year, Mr O’Snodaigh said.