Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

 

Social Welfare Fraud

3:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The biggest problem society faces in this area is the rampant growth of the black economy, which is a big threat to legitimate businesses that are paying tax and have their employees properly recorded. It is important to inform the public about the work that is being done in this regard by my Department's special investigations unit, the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda Síochána. It would be a disaster for the economy if we were paying social welfare to those who are also working in the black economy. They are undermining legitimate businesses and are costing the State money. I accept that there are a lot of errors and misclaims arising from honest mistakes but, none the less, it is important to combat social welfare fraud. The last social welfare Bill included extra powers to provide for integrated checkpoints, which have been producing a great deal of additional information, as well as ensuring employers and employees are properly registered.

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