Michael Ring
Question:415 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the level of fraud and abuse detected by her Department in 2001 and to date in 2002. [18894/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Fraud.
Michael Ring
Question:416 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total costs of social welfare fraud and abuse and unwarranted claims during 2001 and 2002 to date. [18895/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.
Detection of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day to day work of my Department. Some 600 staff work at local, regional and national level, either full time or part-time on the control of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system. The total savings which resulted from their activities amounted to some €269 million in 2001 and to some €211 million for the first nine months of 2002. Included in the above are 10,671 cases of fraud or suspected fraud, involving overpayments of social welfare schemes, which were recorded by my Department in 2001. To date in 2002, 9,262 such cases have been recorded. The cost of these cases in 2001 was €11 million and the cost to date in 2002 has been €8.36 million.