Welfare fraud savings target missed

THE Department of Social Protection missed its target for savings from welfare fraud last year, despite a serious crackdown on areas including cross-border fraud and disability benefit.

Figures from the department show that some €483 million was saved last year as a result of fraud control — 91% of the target for the year of €533.31m.

While the savings fall below the target, the department said that the €483m figure is likely to be an underestimate, as industrial action prevented the proper recording of some savings last year.