08/07/2013

New Figures Show Extent Of Overseas Benefit Claimants

Some €300 million was paid out last year to claimants not living in Ireland, the Irish Independent has reported.

The Department of Social Protection made the payments to people living abroad including Brazil, Cyprus and Malaysia.

Pension payments accounted for almost €260 million of the total payouts, newly released figures have revealed.

It is understood that pensioners are entitled to the payments, regardless of where they live.

Concerns have been raised over what was described by Fianna Fail spokesman for Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, as an "enormous" sum.

The department has been urged to look at ways of reducing the cost of paying benefits to some 60,000 claimants in 93 different countries.

(MH/CD)

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