I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 4 and 20 together.
Craig Gardner Management Consultants were commissioned to examine the major payment systems in my Department in order to establish where the systems are most at risk and to advise on the best cost-effective measures to keep these risks to a minimum. Following a detailed examination of the Department, the consultants submitted three reports containing a large number of recommendations, ranging from organisational arrangements to changes in particular controls and procedures. The total moneys paid to the consultants in respect of the project was £224,710 exclusive of VAT.
As far as publication of the reports is concerned, I have on previous occasions explained to the House that in view of the confidential nature of many of the consultants' findings I am satisfied that it would not be appropriate to publish them. The reports deal with much of the day-to-day control measures of the Department in relation to schemes and it would be counter-productive to publish these. I have, however, made available a summary of the reports in booklet form and this has been circulated to Members of the House.
The summary booklet outlines the consultants' main findings and recommendations. Broadly, they reported on organisational and procedural weaknesses, on the inadequacy of certain control procedures and on the difficulties which reliance on outside agencies can cause. In a separate study, the consultants assisted my Department in developing statistical sampling methods to estimate the level of social welfare abuse. The results of a survey of disability benefit and unemployment payments abuse levels in the Dublin area are contained in the summary booklet.
I am committed to tackling the issues raised in the reports and to introducing operational changes which will reduce exposure to abuse in the system. At the same time, I am determined to ensure that the position of genuine claimants is protected. However, we must prevent unscrupulous claimants from abusing the system. Since coming into office 15 months ago, I myself have undertaken a major review of my Department's activities to stamp out fraud and abuse. As a result of the decisions I have taken, a total of some £30 million was saved in 1987 from measures aimed at curbing fraud and abuse. The Estimates for the current year include provision for saving a further £20 million from measures to prevent fraud, abuse and unwarranted claiming. I am confident that this target will now be exceeded. As Deputies can see, I have already taken very significant steps to eliminate the scope for fraud and abuse. I intend to take whatever other measures are necessary to tackle this problem. In so far as the consultant's reports are concerned, many of their recommendations have already been put into place.
Further recommendations are under active consideration by my Department. These include the localisation of services; client identification measures including, for instance, the possibility of each person in the State having a unique Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number; my Department's co-operation with the Revenue Commissioners and other agencies; the position of employers in the social insurance payments system; methods of payment and issues concerning accommodation.