Over €157m in welfare overpayments identified last year

The Social Welfare Offices on Thomas St, Dublin.

Over €157m in welfare overpayments were identified by the Department of Social Protection last year, but just €100m was recouped.

The annual report from the Department of Social Protection said that 506 cases were considered for prosecution last year, with the Chief State Solicitors Office progressing 487 social protection cases in the court system at the end of 2024.