Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
379. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the Comptroller and Auditor General's recommendation that his Department should introduce a formal strategy for both the regular review of older outstanding debt, in particular for pre-2011 cases and for the targeted review of certain cohorts of debtors on a periodic basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the recent publication by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of his report on the Accounts of Public Services for 2024, and in particular, the chapter on the Management of the Redundancy and Insolvency Payments Scheme Debts.
The Redundancy and Insolvency Payments Schemes are an important safety net for workers. These schemes provide a safeguard for employees' rights, ensuring they receive their statutory entitlements including redundancy payments and other pay related entitlements due, even when their employers face financial difficulties or become insolvent. By providing timely payments, the Department helps to maintain worker financial support during periods of employment loss.
While many of the employer debts raised by the Department relate to companies in insolvency, every effort is made to recover what is possible. The R&I debt management unit ensures that debt management and recovery cases are reviewed and managed effectively, that recoverable debts are pursued. The Department remains a preferential creditor for all the debts, including those that predate 2011.
The Department has noted and will implement the recommendation issued by the C&AG. The Department will continue to pursue all recoverable debts to maximise recovery and is committed to the ongoing improvement of debt recovery.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
