Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:

The special investigation unit, SIU, has been in the Department for some considerable time. It is an inspectorate which specifically targets high risk or serious incidences or suspicion of fraud. We were delighted to get co-operation from An Garda Síochána with the secondment of 20 gardaí since the end of 2014. They have added considerably to our ability to operate joint investigations and to use both Garda and social welfare powers in investigations. I can provide the committee with different examples of investigations where there has been use of joint powers to bring things to an effective and speedy conclusion. In quite a lot of prosecutions we might identify cases where we prosecute under the social welfare legislation, but we also identify cases where we ask the Garda to prosecute under other criminal justice legislation. By working together, it allows for more speedy progression and completion of cases, which is important.