HSE salary overpayments increase by almost €300,000

Salary overpayments identified by the HSE increased by almost €300,000 last year, according to figures released to the Medical Independent (MI).

In total, the HSE identified €11.510 million in overpayments in 2025 across 4,263 cases. Of that amount, €6.586 million remains outstanding.

This compares with 4,803 overpayments identified in 2024 with a total value of €11.217 million. At the end of that year, €6.052 million remained to be recovered.

The total amount outstanding across the two-year period is €12.638 million.

While the overall value increased year-on-year, the number of overpayments fell.

A spokesperson for the HSE told MI the amounts involved represent a small proportion of its overall payroll expenditure, accounting for 0.14 per cent of total payroll payments in 2025 compared with 0.15 per cent in 2024.

The HSE said the higher value recorded in 2025 was largely driven by statutory deduction issues uncovered during an internal review.

Human resources examined staff who fall under section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945.

This section of the Act requires “mental hospital authorities” to maintain a register of officers and servants employed by them “who have the care or charge of patients in the usual course of their employment”.

“Eligible staff commenced employment before 1 April 2004 and are in continuous employment with the HSE Mental Health,” according to the spokesperson.

Staff registered under section 65 are entitled to a fast accrual pension scheme, which affects how an employee’s additional superannuation contribution (ASC) is calculated.

The review found there had been an under-deduction of ASC since 2019 for these staff, the HSE spokesperson told MI.

“Where insufficient ASC pension contributions were deducted from a salary, net take-home pay would have exceeded the correct threshold,” according to the spokesperson.

“Therefore, the overpayment reflects the ASC that should have been deducted.”

Late notification of changes to staff employment circumstances also remains one of the main causes of payroll overpayments, according to the HSE.

The spokesperson pointed out that once an overpayment is identified, a formal notification is issued to the employee outlining the proposed repayment arrangement.

Where no response is received, the HSE will initiate an automatic deduction from the employee who is receiving pay.

In circumstances where an individual is not currently in receipt of pay, the spokesperson said implementing a repayment plan presents “significant operational challenges”.

“However, the HSE continues to strengthen its processes to ensure consistent and compliant recovery across the organisation,” the spokesperson said.

The establishment of a national overpayments team this year will provide a dedicated resource focused on the management and recovery of overpayments.