Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has not yet come into operation. Discussions are still ongoing with the Garda. Is my understanding of that correct?

Speaking on Newstalk, on 16 October last, the Minister referred to this recruitment of 20 extra gardaí who, she stated, would be concentrating on areas such as airports, etc. She went on to state that the Department will also be looking at areas such as checkpoints, in estates and on roads, early in the morning as those who otherwise are claiming benefits are going off to work, either self-employed or working and not declaring it. Is my understanding correct that Garda checkpoints will be set up at the entrance to estates on public roads where residents are going to work with a view to stopping them to ask are they engaged in social welfare fraud or on social welfare? Is that how the system will work?

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