Vol. 462 No. 1
62 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare arising from his reply to Question No. 60 of 14 November 1995, the number of cases brought to the attention of his Department's investigation section by the Garda drugs unit in the past year. [17468/95]
In reply to previous questions about this matter I indicated that my Department acts on any information it receives about possible abuse of the social welfare system. In this regard reports are, from time to time, sent to my Department by members of the public, employers, the Garda and others about possible abuse. These reports are examined and, where appropriate, a full investigation takes place.
A record is not maintained in my Department of the number of reports of cases of possible abuse of the social welfare system received from the Garda or any other source. I am not, therefore, in a position to give the Deputy the information he requests.
The question of my Department's possible role in addressing the drugs problem was recently discussed by the Select Committee on Security and Legislation in the context of its consideration of this issue generally. I will carefully consider any recommendations which emerge from that consideration. However, my primary concern as Minister for Social Welfare is to ensure that my officials can continue to carry out in an efficient and effective way work for which they have responsibility and expertise.
