asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of officers now employed in the special investigation unit within his Department; and the number of prosecutions preferred against people between 1 January 1986 and 31 June 1987.
Written Answers. - Special Investigation Unit.
37.
The number of officers currently employed in the special investigation unit of my Department is 42. These officers were previously under the control of two divisional inspectors assigned solely to the special investigation unit. Following reorganisation they are now deployed under the control of seven divisional inspectors whose responsibility also extends to the other work normally done by social welfare officers.
During the period from January 1986 to August 1987 (the latest date to which figures are available) the special investigation unit investigated the entitlements of 9,159 claimants of whom 2,841 had their benefit disallowed. The unit also attended at signing centres and interviewed claimants regarding their entitlements. As a result of this activity, some 1,678 claimants voluntarily ceased claiming benefit.
During the period in question there were 171 persons prosecuted arising from the activities of the unit. At the end of the period, there were also a further 58 cases in the hands of the Chief State Solicitor's Office awaiting initiation of proceedings arising from the special investigation unit's activities in the period in question. In addition there are a considerable number of other cases arising from that period which are still in course of processing and which will be forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor if sufficient evidence is available to permit prosecution.
Overall it is estimated that current savings in the region of £4 million a year result from the activities of the special investigation unit.