Department saves E306m in fraud control

FRAUD and abuse controls in the Department of Social and Family Affairs realised savings of over E306 million last year, it was announced yesterday.

Social Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan said total savings, which were up by E17m on 2002, resulted from normal reviews by the Department and the work of staff engaged in investigative work.

Stressing that her officials have a very focused approach to fraud control, Ms Coughlan said she wants to ensure that her Department’s budget is used to benefit those people who are genuinely dependent on a basic social welfare payment every week.

“I am concerned that there are people who would abuse the taxpayers, who fund the schemes run by my Department, which are aimed at alleviating poverty and helping people who have lost their jobs.

“We will continue to be vigilant and I will be keeping this issue under review,” she said.

Savings in unemployment payments topped the list at almost 120 million, followed by one parent family payments at E69 million and illness payments at E53.66 million.

Over 90% of the 7,561 employees who underwent PRSI inspections were found to be compliant. A total of 320,000 claim reviews were carried out.

A total of 405 cases were forwarded to the chief state solicitor’s office for the initiation of prosecution proceedings, a 65% increase on 2002. Some 218 of these cases were finalised in court with 11 defendants being given prison sentences, 17 receiving suspended sentences, 109 being fined and 12 being ordered to do community service.

Twenty seven defendants were given the benefit of the Probation Act and the remainder had their cases either struck out, dismissed or were bound to the peace. Total social welfare expenditure for 2003 reached E10.5 billion.

More than 928,000 people received a weekly social welfare payment.

More than 534,000 families received child benefit during the year.

More than 1.5 million people were recipients of free schemes including electricity, travel and phone rental.