asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of occasions on which his Department has initiated legal proceedings against persons for defrauding the social welfare system during each of the past five years; the present position in relation to these proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Abuse Prosecutions.
26.
I am assuming that the Deputy's question relates to claimants and employers prosecuted for irregularities under the Social Welfare Acts in each of the past five calendar years and the number of convictions secured.
The prosecutions and convictions secured in the years 1983-87, inclusive, are set out in the following table. The Deputy will no doubt understand that as a result of the normal delay inherent in court proceedings some of the cases dealt with in a particular year would have been presented in an earlier year.
|
Year |
Prosecutions |
Convictions |
|
1983 |
87 |
86 |
|
1984 |
123 |
121 |
|
1985 |
180 |
171 |
|
1986 |
146 |
130 |
|
1987 |
126 |
119 |
Some 500 cases have been sent for prosecution to the Chief State Solicitor's Office so far in 1988. Details are not, however, yet available of the numbers that have been in the courts or the outcome.
It is regrettable that it should be necessary to resort to the prosecution of individuals to the extent indicated but I am satisfied that this is necessary to provide a deterrent against the actions of those who would otherwise abuse the system to a greater extent. I am, however, keeping the matter under review with a view to ensuring that the policy of my Department in relation to prosecutions is both fair and cost effective.