Vol. 470 No. 2
61 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of suspensions of social welfare payments which have been made in relation to persons involved in drug dealing through his Department liaising with the Garda drug unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18595/96]
My Department acts on any information it receives about possible abuse of the social welfare system. In this regard reports of possible abuse are, from time to time, sent to my Department from various sources, including the Garda. These reports are examined and, where appropriate, a full investigation takes place leading, where appropriate, to a review of entitlement. There is a good working relationship between my Department and the Garda authorities. However, a record is not maintained of the number of reports of cases of possible abuse received from the gardaí and the outcome of these reports.
