Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

Many of the things I was going to say have been said and I will not repeat them. The explanatory memorandum states: "Sections 17 and 18 provide that where a fraudulent social welfare overpayment occurs". It does not state "proven" and the point is there needs to be due process. If somebody is suspected of fraud due process in court needs to be followed and in the meantime that person should continue to receive his or her social welfare benefit. As Deputy Clare Daly said the workers in that area are sufficiently experienced to understand where people are in their own lives.

A certain tone is being set by the Government and particularly in the Fine Gael ranks with the suggestion in newspapers over the weekend of deadbeat dads having to do national military service. Someone then came on radio to clarify that it was not national military service but national service. It has also been suggested that lone parents with more than three children should not get paid, which is similar to the provision the late Deputy, Brian Lenihan, introduced in the budget reducing child allowance for the third child. There is definitely a tone coming from the Government that the direction of the debate is going down to an attack on the lowest paid and those on social welfare. If that is the direction it is heading, the Government should beware because we will not tolerate it.

Section 13 extends the powers of social welfare inspectors to investigate employers, contractors and subcontractors who are found to be employing people. However, it does not suggest that the businesses will be closed if they are suspected of employing people working in the black economy. This must be removed and due process regarding fraudulent claims should take place in the courts. If the person is found guilty then the money should be taken from him or her over a period.

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