Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (1083)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

1083. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff in her Department working in the welfare fraud section; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8563/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At the outset, it is important to note that the majority of people in receipt of a payment from my Department receive what they are entitled to.  Nevertheless, my Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system by a small minority is an ongoing reality and must be tackled.  Anti-fraud measures are set out in my Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2019 – 2023 and are designed to prevent, deter and detect fraud, to ensure effective oversight of schemes, and recovery of any sums overpaid. Recouping monies through our control measures ensures that all of our available resources are targeted to those with a genuine need.

Control and compliance checks are an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the Department.  All members of staff involved in the administration of social welfare schemes are acutely aware of the need to implement appropriate eligibility checks at every stage of the lifecycle process of a claim.

Overall, there are in the region of 900 staff members in my Department - out of approx. 6,000 - whose main responsibilities are related to control and compliance work.  This includes some 260 social welfare inspectors who are statutorily appointed to investigate and report on claims for benefit/assistance and to carry out employer inspections.  In addition, there are 112 trained investigators in the Department's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which includes 21 members of An Garda Siochána who are seconded to the Unit. 

The exclusive function of the SIU is to investigate and report on fraud and abuse of social welfare schemes.  Officers in the Unit carry out a broad range of liaison, enforcement, investigative and intelligence gathering duties and operate at the high or more organised end of social welfare fraud and abuse.  In carrying out a wide range of control activities and projects, the Unit works closely with staff from a number of other compliance and enforcement agencies such as Revenue, the National Employment Rights Authority and the Gardaí. 

Additionally, the Deputy should note that control work forms a central part of the work of all staff across the Department, including those who work in support roles such as systems development, IT, financial and corporate management, as well as front-line staff in Intreo Centres and centralised scheme areas.  Separately, 64 staff work in the central control area, including 22 staff members who are assigned to overpayment administration and recovery.  A further 16 staff deal with client identity services.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 1084 and 1085 answered with Question No. 1057.
Barr
Roinn