Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The Minister will be aware of recent media reports in respect of an allegation of fraud in his constituency. That is why I raised this question and I do not suggest that cross-border fraud is the only type that occurs.

The Minister provided figures on prosecutions but I am not sure whether they relate solely to this country or to a group of countries. How many of the prosecutions in question relate to cross-border fraud involving Ireland and other countries? The Department made savings of €375 million last year in respect of anti-fraud measures. How much of that money related to internal fraud and how much related to fraud of a cross-border nature? Is such information readily available to the Minister? What steps has he taken to consult his counterparts in other EU countries, particularly those from which a large number of people have come to Ireland to live and work, in the context of putting in place measures to ensure that payments are only made in one state?

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