Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Looking at the figures cited by the Minister, I do not see how they will reach an extra €25 million in savings by the end of the year. If it is €13 million in total in the six months for child benefit, €5.7 million from July until now in respect of another payment, and €388,000 from a special lone parent project, even allowing for some more from the €5.7 million for this month and December, I do not see how it will reach €25 million. I wish to ask the Minister about controls to achieve savings. I welcome the fact people will have to attend post offices in person, which will obviously reduce some elements of fraud. I draw the Minister's attention to the reply to my freedom of information request about social welfare fraud. According to the reply, in the period from August 2004 to December 2004, one officer assigned to the Garda National Immigration Bureau generated savings of €1.468 million by the termination of about 234 claims for 146 customers. It must be questioned whether there are far more savings to be made from an immigration perspective.

The Minister will also be aware of the different statistics for fraud as between non-nationals and Irish nationals. What extra action does the Minister intend to take in addition to this €25 million saving to address the issue? I understand it is approximately 13% for non-nationals as against 1% for Irish nationals.

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