Stop crucifying the victims

It seems that Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has kicked off the new year in the same vein as she left off in 2011, issuing statements and plans which imply widespread welfare fraud.

Your report that “a time limit for social welfare recipients“ is being considered is the latest hare-brained scheme which is clearly just another swipe at those forced onto the unemployment register.

There is no doubt that one of the most socially corrosive crimes is fraud of all kinds, and welfare fraud, such as it is, is no different. The sad truth of the matter is, however, that we in Ireland have a very high tolerance for it and this is particularly the case when the fraud is perpetrated by those at the top end of the socio-economic ladder who are responsible for the vast majority of it by far. That tolerance also noticeably reduces whenever those on the lower parts of the same ladder are thought to be dipping their fingers.