The Department of Education has unveiled a plan to recover €6.8 million in overpayments made to nearly 4,000 school staff, former employees, and retirees.
The figure, revealed in a briefing document for new Education Minister Helen McEntee, highlights repayment challenges—particularly for those no longer working in the sector.
The overpayments, which occurred up to the end of 2023, accounted for just 0.1% of the department’s overall payroll budget. However, with about 3,950 individuals affected, officials have now launched a structured approach to reclaim the funds. Usually, repayments are deducted from salaries or, in cases where staff have retired, from their pensions.
However, the department acknowledged a major obstacle: recovering money from former employees who are no longer in the system and do not have a pension entitlement.
A detailed project plan has been put in place to address not only the recovery of funds but also the underlying issues that led to these overpayments in the first place. The department is focusing on refining its payroll processes to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Meanwhile, the document also touches on another key issue in education—the rise of generative AI. The department is factoring AI’s impact into the redevelopment of the senior cycle, with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) overseeing efforts to integrate AI considerations into future assessments and curricula.
