Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 8

Written Answers. - Fraudulent Claims.

William Cotter

Question:

230 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline (a) the number of fraudulent claims under the terms of the social welfare code discovered by his Department in each of the years between 1987 and 1991 and (b) the number of prosecutions undertaken as a result thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

William Cotter

Question:

231 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of prosecutions undertaken under the terms of the social welfare code for each of the years between 1989 and 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

Statistical returns are not maintained in the format in which the Deputy has requested information. However, the following tabular statement outlines the numbers of cases involving fraud which were uncovered in each of the years specified. Separate returns are maintained in relation to prosecutions, and details as to the numbers of cases finalised in court in the years in question are set out in the table. It should be noted, however, that the normal delay associated with court proceedings means that some of the cases dealt with in a particular year would have been presented in an earlier year.

The Department's policy is to consider for prosecution all cases coming to light where there is evidence that a serious offence under the Social Welfare Acts has been committed.

	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991
Cases attributed to fraud by claimants	9,056	10,034	8,866	7,770	6,365
Prosecutions finalised	111	320	269	209	50*

*An amnesty from prosecution was in operation for most of the year.