Social Welfare Fraud Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Questions (299)

John McGuinness

Question:

299. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 23 June 2016, if it was the fraud section of his Department that investigated this matter; if payment of contributions continued after 2008, as to date this person has not been issued with a P45; the action that was taken by the fraud section following the discussion by phone with this person; if this person's future pension entitlements will be adversely affected by not having contributions credited to them while they were in employment after 2008; and if he will provide the contribution records. [19339/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned requested an investigation into her PRSI record in a letter dated 24 July 2014. The matter was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation on 1 August 2014. The Inspector submitted his report on 11 September 2014 and, as outlined in the answer to PQ 17904-16, he found no discrepancies. He also confirmed that, as the person concerned was on Illness Benefit for the period August 2007 to July 2011, no PRSI contributions were due on her behalf for those years. The client’s future pension entitlements will not be adversely affected. The person concerned was advised of this outcome by telephone on 15 September 2014. The matter was not referred to the Special Investigations Unit.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.