1983. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of moneys recouped by his Department arising from social welfare fraud in each of the past five years, by category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59969/26]

Persons who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled.

The table below sets out the amounts recovered from 2022 to 2025, in respect of overpayments raised where an element of fraudulent activity was suspected. These cases arise where a deciding officer is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or wilfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases.

Gross Recoveries of Suspected Fraud Overpayments 2022 - 2025*

* Recoveries may include overpayments raised in previous years, repaid in the current year. These figures are not available prior to 2022.