Social welfare - Fraud hits the most vulnerable

THE great majority of people realise and accept that anyone dependent on social welfare payments is not in an enviable position.

Most of us realise that these payments are not easily given and do not support much more than a very basic, frugal existence.

Far, far more people — Irish and otherwise — than would wish to have become reliant on the welfare system. For many, especially those who never believed they might be unemployed, it is a traumatic experience.