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09/12/2014
Gardaí To Work In Special Investigation Unit
Twenty Gardaí are to start work in the Department of Social Protection's Special Investigation Unit, it has been announced.
The Unit will specialise in fraud investigation, Tánaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has said.
This year, the unit has generated fraud and control savings of €64.5m; of this, some €23m are recoverable overpayments.
It is understood the main function of the Gardaí assigned to the unit will be to investigate allegations and initiate investigations into social welfare fraud.
The secondment will last for 12 months, subject to review, and will carry out a number of investigative duties in detecting and combating social welfare fraud.
Tánaiste Burton said: "The Department's objective is to ensure that it pays the right amount of money to the right person at the right time, and the vast majority of welfare customers receive only the payment to which they are entitled.
"I have always championed the welfare system as a safety net for those who need it most. It's precisely because the State's limited resources should go to those most in need that I make no apologies for tackling fraud and abuse in the system."
She added: "The Special Investigation Unit of the Department is achieving excellent results in its detection of fraud and abuse. The addition of the 20 Gardaí will be an extra pillar to the team in uncovering sophisticated fraud, and will help us meet our targets as set out in the Department's Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014-2018."
(JP/IT)
The Unit will specialise in fraud investigation, Tánaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has said.
This year, the unit has generated fraud and control savings of €64.5m; of this, some €23m are recoverable overpayments.
It is understood the main function of the Gardaí assigned to the unit will be to investigate allegations and initiate investigations into social welfare fraud.
The secondment will last for 12 months, subject to review, and will carry out a number of investigative duties in detecting and combating social welfare fraud.
Tánaiste Burton said: "The Department's objective is to ensure that it pays the right amount of money to the right person at the right time, and the vast majority of welfare customers receive only the payment to which they are entitled.
"I have always championed the welfare system as a safety net for those who need it most. It's precisely because the State's limited resources should go to those most in need that I make no apologies for tackling fraud and abuse in the system."
She added: "The Special Investigation Unit of the Department is achieving excellent results in its detection of fraud and abuse. The addition of the 20 Gardaí will be an extra pillar to the team in uncovering sophisticated fraud, and will help us meet our targets as set out in the Department's Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014-2018."
(JP/IT)
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