HSE seeks to recover over €30 million in excess staff payments
The Health Service Executive identified more than €30 million in overpayments to staff over three years and is working to reclaim the funds.
According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, the HSE paid more than €30 million in excess wages to its staff across a three-year span. In the latest year, €9.53 million in overpayments affecting 3,242 employees—averaging almost €3,000 per person—were identified, slightly below the €9.55 million flagged the previous year. Overpayments in 2023 totalled €11.1 million for 4,371 staff, averaging €2,540 each.
The HSE reclaimed €5.163 million in 2025, yet more than €4.3 million remains unrecovered. The agency attributes most errors to data entry faults, late recording of unpaid or sick leave, delayed payroll removals, and pension or allowance miscalculations, and it notifies affected employees of repayment plans, resorting to automatic deductions when necessary.
Why it matters
Recovering the excess payments safeguards public funds and highlights payroll management challenges in a major health agency.
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