asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has investigated allegations of dole fraud in haulage contracting in the recent past; and, if so, the outcome of such investigations.
Written Answers. - Dole Fraud Allegations.
57.
The haulage contracting industry, as such, has not been the subject of investigations by my Department into allegations of abuses of the social welfare schemes in the recent past. Where allegations of abuse of social welfare schemes by individuals or firms are brought to my attention they are investigated.
Statistics are not maintained in a manner which would enable cases specific to the haulage industry only to be readily identified and accordingly I am not in a position to furnish the details requested. If the Deputy wishes to pursue a specific case I will be happy to assist him.
As the Deputy will know, I introduced special measures at the beginning of this year to tackle fraud and abuse in four specified industries. I intend to extend these provisions to other sectors in the light of experience in the operation of the existing regulations, and the question of including the road transport industry will be considered in this regard.