Social Protection overpaid €1.1bn to welfare recipients in a decade

Data released to whistleblower Shane Corr show that, as at the end of 2022, 292 people had run up overpayment balances from the Department of Social Protection of more than €100,000. Picture: RTÉ Investigates/RTÉ

Almost €1.1bn in welfare overpayments have been paid out in the past decade, with nearly 300 people owing more than €100,000 apiece in back payments at the end of 2022.

The Department of Social Protection annually overpaid sums of €70m and €130m, when adjusted for inflation, to welfare recipients since 2013, per the department’s own official accounts.