€3.9m in welfare savings but fewer checks

The Department of Social Protection’s maintenance recovery unit (MRU) cut the number of cases it reviewed last year by almost 2,700 — yet still delivered estimated savings of nearly €3.9m.

Figures provided by the department show that the MRU reviewed 8,063 cases last year — down from 10,709 in 2013.

Despite the considerable reduction in the initial number of cases inspected, last year’s estimated savings actually increased — from €3.29m in 2013 to €3.89m last year.