Welfare fraud tip-offs soared last year to 17,000

The number of anonymous tip-offs made to the Government’s welfare fraud control division soared to almost 17,000 last year, according to new data.

The central control section of the Department of Social Protection received 16,920 reports from members of the public last year, an increase of more than 4,000 tip-offs compared with those received in 2010 and almost 10,000 more than were received in 2009.

The figures come as Social Protection Minister Joan Burton prepares to outline the savings made through a number of welfare fraud control measures last year.

Earlier this week, she said last year’s fraud control savings target had been “exceeded”.

Departmental figures show that when it came to reports from members of the public over alleged fraud, there were increases across the board.

The figures show that working while claiming benefits was the single biggest category, with 7,430 reports made to the Co Leitrim-based control centre last year.

That was an increase of more than 2,000 reports from members of the public compared with the previous year.

Elsewhere, the tip-off figures reveal:

* 4,470 reports involving co-habitation, where benefits were being paid on the basis that claimants were not living together;

* 880 reports involving allegations that claimants were not resident in the country but were still claiming;

* 490 reports involving employer issues;

* 3,650 reports involving a range of other issues.

Members of the public make the reports either via the welfare.ie website or by phone or post to the control centre’s headquarters in Carrick-On-Shannon. Those contacting the unit are asked to provide as much data as possible and can do so anonymously.

However, Ms Burton’s predecessor, Eamon Ó Cuiv, told an Oireachtas Committee two years ago that just one in five anonymous tip-offs resulted in fraud being uncovered.

Last year, the minister’s department outlined plans to tackle the so-called black economy as part of increased measures to save money and reduce the soaring social protection spend.

Areas targeted included markets, couriers, clothes recycling, car valetting, the security sector, haulage, restaurants and fast food businesses, satellite and TV installers. Details of these and other areas of fraud control are expected to be outlined by the department in due course.

Hot line

* 16,920 anonymous reports on welfare fraud made last year.

* Working and claiming biggest categories.