Anti-fraud welfare campaign nets €78m

The Department of Social and Family Affairs says it has saved over €78m through anti-fraud measures during the second quarter of this year.

The Department of Social Welfare and Family Affairs says it has saved over €78m through anti-fraud measures during the second quarter of this year.

The Department says these resulted from reviews of some cases carried out by officials as well as investigations into others.

The largest amounts were in unemployment benefits, where €32m was recouped after 23,000 cases were reviewed, while savings of €13m in illness payments were also recorded.

There were 39 prosecutions over fraudulent claims, with four prison sentences issued.