Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
639. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons prosecuted for social welfare fraud in 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21993/19]
View answerMy Department initiates criminal prosecutions against persons who defraud the social welfare system and against employers who fail to carry out their statutory obligations under social welfare legislation.
Cases involving the detection of theft, impersonation, identity fraud or multiple claiming are referred to An Garda Síochána (AGS) for investigation and for consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution under criminal justice legislation.
The table below outlines the number of cases submitted by the Department to the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) for prosecution of offences under social welfare legislation. It also shows cases referred to AGS for investigation of social welfare fraud and consideration of prosecution under criminal justice legislation.
|
|
2018 |
2019 to date |
|
Cases referred to the CSSO |
101 |
27 |
|
Cases referred to AGS |
74 |
24 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
