Almost €500 million debt owed in overpaid benefits

The amount of debt owed in overpaid benefits has reached nearly €500 million, according to a new government report.
The Department of Social Protection’s most recent figures show debt totalling €482.5 million involving 174 thousand people.
The Irish Examiner says the report, signed off by then Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar, indicates a rise of more than 60 million in the last two years.
Customer fraud and error account for the majority of the overpaid money last year.