asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state, arising out of a reply to Question 22 of Wednesday, 8 July, 1970, regarding a prosecution at Carrigaline Court under the Social Welfare Act, 1952 (section 53), why a certificate was given under his official seal on the 27 February, 1970, in accordance with section 53 of Social Welfare Act, 1952, that evidence sufficient in his opinion to justify a prosecution for the offence had then come to his knowledge, when apparently according to his reply of 8th instant his Department had sufficient knowledge to refer the matter for prosecution as far back as October, 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit Prosecution.
19.
As I pointed out to the Deputy in my reply of 8th July, 1970, this case was referred by my Department for prosecution action as far back as October, 1968. Because, however, of the delay in taking the proceedings, for which neither I nor my Department was responsible, the certificate to which the Deputy refers was statutorily required in order to enable proceedings to be brought at the later date.