Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I want to put a straight question to the Minister. In the week of the volcanic ash crisis this year, 3,500 fewer people signed on for the dole. I ask the Minister to confirm to the House and to the country that welfare tourism - that is, people flying in from other countries on cheap flights to claim social welfare - is not taking place. Did the Department investigate the reason 3,500 fewer people signed on during that crisis?

Why has the Minister reduced the projected savings due to reductions in fraud? He was hoping in 2009 to achieve savings of €616 million but this has been reduced in 2010 to €533 million. People are concerned about two different types of welfare fraud - one type in another jurisdiction not far from us and the other type perpetrated by people flying in from abroad. I want the country and the House to be reassured that this is not happening.

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