The amount of debt owed in overpaid benefits has reached nearly 500 million euro, according to a new government report.
The Department of Social Protection's most recent figures show debt totalling 482 point 5 million involving 174 thousand people.
According to the Irish Examiner the report 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.