Noel Dempsey
Question:266 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of cases of suspected social welfare fraud which were uncovered in each month since January 1995. [18360/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Fraud.
Peter Barry
Question:267 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of social welfare fraud detected in Cork in 1995; the number of prosecutions which resulted from such fraud detection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. The information with regard to fraud detected is not maintained on a month by month or on a county basis. The detection and prevention of fraud and abuse of social welfare payments is an integral part of the day to day work of my Department, which also has a programme of ongoing specialist control activities as part of its drive against fraud, abuse and unwarranted recourse to social welfare. The estimated savings from these activities was of the order of £124 million in 1995 which was factored into our expenditure projections for that year. The savings for 1996 which was factored into our expenditure projections were £140 million. These savings arise from the prevention and detection of a variety of irregularities which can range from short-term minor abuses to very serious fraud of a deliberate nature.
Where overpayments are identified in respect of past benefit incorrectly claimed or paid, deciding officers nominate those which they believe to have been fraudulent. The total number of such individual overpayments held to be fraudulent in 1995 was 10,701, the total value of which amounted to £11.6 million. The total number recorded to the end of September 1996 was 6,841 with a total value of £9 million. The number of prosecutions finalised in court in 1995 was 57 of which 36 resulted in fines being imposed, one resulted in a term of imprisonment, six sentences were suspended, five were given the benefit of the Probation Act, three were sent on community service and six were struck out. Four of these related to prosecutions in County Cork and all four received fines. Three were employers who had failed to comply with their obligations regarding payment of PRSI and one was a disability benefit recipient who had obtained benefit fraudulently. Between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 1996, 50 prosecutions were finalised. The results were: 25 received fines, two were imprisoned, eight were suspended, six received the Probation Act, four community service, one was bound to the peace and four were struck out. All cases involving fraud and abuse of the social welfare system are examined with a view to initiating legal proceedings.