Seán Sherlock
Ceist:126. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the powers of social welfare inspectors are being used disproportionately when investigating claims. [32256/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 22 October 2020
Ceisteanna (126)
Freagraí scríofa
Social welfare inspectors are appointed under Section 250 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).
All social welfare inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with the public. The code requires that Customers must at all times be treated equally, fairly, with respect and dignity, as outlined in the Customer Charter.
As part of their investigations, an inspector's remit includes the combating of fraud and abuse of the Department's schemes. This means inspectors may need to make notified or un-notified home visits.
The nature of enquiries made by social welfare inspectors are limited to that which is necessary to determine if a person has an entitlement to a payment or to establish if a customer continues to have an on-going entitlement to a scheme.
I am confident that social welfare inspectors in my Department carry out their duties in an appropriate manner. However, if there are instances where a social welfare inspector is alleged to have carried out their duties in an inappropriate manner there is a complaints procedure for any customer who considers their rights to have been impinged. I would urge any customer who considers their rights to have been impinged to make a complaint to my Department.
In addition, every customer is entitled to have their claim considered or reviewed in accordance with the principles of natural and constitutional justice and in the context of determinations of entitlement under social welfare legislation.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.