Number of social welfare fraud cases sent to courts halves in 10 years

The Department of Social Protection said it had an average success rate of 88% in cases concluded during the past 10 years

Frauds investigated included claiming of pensions after someone had died, individuals receiving benefits while in employment, and producing forged documents. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The number of welfare fraud cases sent for prosecution has more than halved over the past decade.

The Department of Social Protection sent just 76 cases to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) last year. That was down from 170 in 2017, according to figures released under FOI.