asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will deploy additional manpower into the special investigation unit within his Department so as to ensure that instances of fraud are minimised.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Fraud.
27.
The special investigation unit of my Department which was set up in 1978 with the specific role of investigating cases of suspected fraud and abuse of the unemployment payment schemes, initially consisted of 18 outdoor officers. It was expanded in 1983 and 1986 to its present level of 42 officers. While the work of this unit is very important in combating abuse of the unemployment payment schemes, it represents but one of a range of control mechanisms in operation in this area. I am expanding significantly the Department's external control unit which is based in the employment exchanges and which has proved particularly successful in combating abuses. I am also expanding my Department's staff on the joint investigation unit operated by my Department and the Revenue Commissioners on a pilot basis last year to combat fraud in the Revenue and Social Welfare areas.
As I informed the Deputy during the Adjournment Debate on 11 February 1988, there are in excess of 500 staff in my Department who have a direct function in relation to the control of the unemployment payments schemes.