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05/10/2011
Welfare Fraud Crackdown Continues
An Oireachtas committee will meet today to discuss current and future proposals to tackle social welfare fraud.
The Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education will meet will discuss ways to stop people from fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.
Almost €345 million has been saved last year by fraud and control measures implemented by the department giving some indication as to the scale of the problem.
Officials from the Department of Social Protection will also report on the progress made since the implementation of previous proposals. These are recommendations are contained in the 2009 Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs Report on Social Welfare Fraud.
The Government aims to achieve €625m in savings next year by cracking down on social welfare fraud.
It is proposing a team of inspectors on the ground to conduct spot checks on work places.
There are also plans to impose stiffer penalties on employers and workers who engage in social welfare fraud.
Meanwhile a new identity card to tackle social welfare fraud is to be rolled out on a phased basis, beginning this week.
4,000 people of working age will be issued with cards by the end of the year.
The card is the same size as a credit card, and it incorporates a biometric photo and signature, and electronically coded information.
Samples of the card were shown to members of the committee this morning.
Anne Vaughan, assistant secretary at the Department of Social Protection, said the card will be rolled out as securely and as speedily as possible, and it will take a number of years to complete.
Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: "Social welfare has been put in place to protect the more vulnerable and less well-off people in society and is a necessary safety net for many who have fallen on hard times. However, some people are only too willing to take advantage of the system. This fraud and abuse of the system is unacceptable."
(LB/BMcC)
The Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education will meet will discuss ways to stop people from fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.
Almost €345 million has been saved last year by fraud and control measures implemented by the department giving some indication as to the scale of the problem.
Officials from the Department of Social Protection will also report on the progress made since the implementation of previous proposals. These are recommendations are contained in the 2009 Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs Report on Social Welfare Fraud.
The Government aims to achieve €625m in savings next year by cracking down on social welfare fraud.
It is proposing a team of inspectors on the ground to conduct spot checks on work places.
There are also plans to impose stiffer penalties on employers and workers who engage in social welfare fraud.
Meanwhile a new identity card to tackle social welfare fraud is to be rolled out on a phased basis, beginning this week.
4,000 people of working age will be issued with cards by the end of the year.
The card is the same size as a credit card, and it incorporates a biometric photo and signature, and electronically coded information.
Samples of the card were shown to members of the committee this morning.
Anne Vaughan, assistant secretary at the Department of Social Protection, said the card will be rolled out as securely and as speedily as possible, and it will take a number of years to complete.
Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: "Social welfare has been put in place to protect the more vulnerable and less well-off people in society and is a necessary safety net for many who have fallen on hard times. However, some people are only too willing to take advantage of the system. This fraud and abuse of the system is unacceptable."
(LB/BMcC)
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13 September 2011
Fraud Control Could Save €625m
A new fraud initiative focusing on individuals and employers could save the State €625m next year. According to a statement released by Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, a detailed fraud control plan could help make colossal savings. The Minister is proposing inter-agency co-operation at national and local level to help target the crime.
Fraud Control Could Save €625m
A new fraud initiative focusing on individuals and employers could save the State €625m next year. According to a statement released by Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, a detailed fraud control plan could help make colossal savings. The Minister is proposing inter-agency co-operation at national and local level to help target the crime.
14 July 2017
Govt Urged To Tackle White-Collar Crime
SIPTU has called on the Government to launch publicity and enforcement campaigns aimed at tackling white-collar crime, which is estimated to have cost the economy more than €2 billion last year. White-collar crime refers to financially motivated non-violent crime committed by business and government professionals.
Govt Urged To Tackle White-Collar Crime
SIPTU has called on the Government to launch publicity and enforcement campaigns aimed at tackling white-collar crime, which is estimated to have cost the economy more than €2 billion last year. White-collar crime refers to financially motivated non-violent crime committed by business and government professionals.
08 March 2013
€669m Saved Through Controlled Measures
The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., has today published details of how savings of €669 million were achieved in 2012 through a broad range of control measures across Department of Social Protection schemes. The savings exceeded the target originally set for the year of €645 million.
€669m Saved Through Controlled Measures
The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., has today published details of how savings of €669 million were achieved in 2012 through a broad range of control measures across Department of Social Protection schemes. The savings exceeded the target originally set for the year of €645 million.
08 March 2013
Social Welfare Clampdown Saves Millions
The Department of Social Protection has saved a reported €669m through a clampdown on social welfare fraud. The review of social welfare claims were carried out, and most of the savings came from reviews of one parent family payments, pensions, jobseekers, illness, and child benefit payments.
Social Welfare Clampdown Saves Millions
The Department of Social Protection has saved a reported €669m through a clampdown on social welfare fraud. The review of social welfare claims were carried out, and most of the savings came from reviews of one parent family payments, pensions, jobseekers, illness, and child benefit payments.
30 August 2011
Clampdown On Welfare Fraud Saves €345m
A clamp down on welfare fraud has saved millions of euro this year. In the first seven months of 2011 €345m has been saved across the Department’s schemes through fraud and control measures. This involved carrying out reviews of around 350,000 claims for various welfare payments, including illness benefit, child benefit and payments for carers.
Clampdown On Welfare Fraud Saves €345m
A clamp down on welfare fraud has saved millions of euro this year. In the first seven months of 2011 €345m has been saved across the Department’s schemes through fraud and control measures. This involved carrying out reviews of around 350,000 claims for various welfare payments, including illness benefit, child benefit and payments for carers.
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