Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The important issue is the amount of money saved through anti-fraud measures. As the Deputy indicated, we all agree on the importance of such measures. The Department has set significant new targets for this year. Savings of €476 million through anti-fraud measures are significant.

The processing of applications by inspectors or other departmental staff is an anti-fraud measure in itself as it ensures sufficient care and attention is given to making correct decisions on payments. Removing a payment from someone is much more difficult than awarding a payment. The assessment process is also a control measure.

Desk operations are another useful measure. The Department undertakes data matching activities with Revenue to ascertain whether people are working, with FÁS to determine whether they are in training and with the Health Service Executive. The Department of Education and Science provides the names of all third level students. We also match our data with commencement of employment data and the names of those who have been sent to prison. Data matching, as a desk exercise, is a successful way of controlling fraud and will continue this year.

See this speech in context