Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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60. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of personnel involved in the investigation unit of her Department; the number of joint checkpoints with An Garda Síochána and Customs and Excise there were on each of the past five years; and a regional breakdown of those checkpoints. [33264/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There is a total of 91 staff assigned to the Department's special investigation unit, SIU, and their function is to investigate and report on fraud and abuse within the social welfare system. As part of a range of initiatives to prevent and detect fraud, the unit participates in multi-agency vehicle checks, MAVCs, on an ongoing basis. Members are probably familiar with them. These are primarily set up by An Garda Síochána and are planned in consultation with other participating agencies such as the Revenue Commissioners and my Department. MAVCs facilitate an approach whereby all agencies can comprehensively identify individuals engaged in vehicle tax evasion, road traffic irregularities or social welfare and tax fraud in particular locations.

In line with powers that are specifically provided for in social welfare legislation, SIU officers participate in these checkpoints in the detection and prevention of social welfare fraud. The general focus of inquiries is related to individuals driving commercial vehicles - haulage, transport and taxi - including those at taxi ranks at airports. Where inquiries suggest that irregularities have occurred, they are pursued further. A significant number of cases are subject to court procedures subsequently.

Statistics on MAVCs undertaken by the SIU have only been collated with effect from 2010. In the period 2010 to date, there was a total of 230 MAVCs. Up to the end of May 2013, there was a total of 24 checkpoints across the Department's regional network.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In the Border, midland and western regions, a total of 33 checkpoints were put in place with An Garda Síochána and Revenue in 2010, and there were 30 in 2011 and 25 in 2012. In the southern and south-eastern regions, a total of 28 checkpoints were put in place with An Garda Síochána and Revenue in 2010, and there were 29 in 2011 and 29 in 2012. In the Dublin region, no checkpoints were put in place in 2010, and a total of 18 were put in place in 2011 and 14 in 2012. Up to the end of May 2013, a total of 24 checkpoints were put in place across the Department's regional network. I believe that these checks are a very useful element of the overall control activities undertaken by the SIU and they facilitate a joined-up and integrated approach to the investigation of a range of offences.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the response. On looking at the figures, it will be interesting to see the exact extent and success of the project announced, which was aimed specifically at those involved in the transport network who had been abusing the social welfare code.

The full benefit of this to the Department will be interesting. Many hours were spent on this issue, with 230 checkpoints over two and a half years. I hope this will have the benefit of not only recouping money to the Department but also of discouraging others. Will the Minister outline the number of people who have been charged as a consequence of these checkpoints? Do Garda immigration officials also participate at these checkpoints? It has been indicated in the past there was significant fraud in the immigration area. Sometimes the truth is that this is not the case.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I will get the Deputy the detailed figures, but in 2010, for instance, 2,400 people were questioned; in 2011, 3,400 people were interviewed as a consequence of checkpoints; in 2012, 2,672 people were interviewed; and so far this year there have been 24 checkpoints and 20 detections, resulting in a saving of approximately €130,000. I refer to a number of examples. Members will be familiar with inspections at taxi ranks which are popular with legitimate taxi drivers, both at the airport and other ranks. At an MAVC the driver of a Volkswagen Caddy was interviewed by the SIU. He described himself as a self-employed IT engineer working on contract to various companies with no employees. On checking with Revenue, he had made no return since 2006. Revenue carried out an audit, agreed a settlement of €30,500 and the individual concerned made a payment in full within one month of being interviewed. He was obviously fully occupied but not paying tax. Elsewhere, a passenger in a van being driven by someone in the building trade admitted that he was working for the driver and gave a false name. Further investigations revealed his true identity and the employer co-operated to give details of his earnings. He was in receipt of social welfare payments and subsequently interviewed under caution. His case has been recommended for prosecution. People who have been out sick sign off soon after being stopped at a checkpoint.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is early days in the context of figures and it can be difficult to gauge success, but it must be a success based on the cases mentioned by the Minister which resulted in the recoupment of €130,000. How many people have suddenly signed off after being interviewed? Are the checkpoint interviews detailed or is there only cursory questioning relating to name, address, PPS number and so on? Are people called to a subsequent more detailed interview?

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I will get the Deputy a more detailed answer on the numbers and actions taken by the Garda. Gardaí take over if there is evidence of a criminal offence and prosecutions take time, but a number of people have appeared before the courts. For example, a social welfare customer with a Dublin address was interviewed. He was driving a van with the name of a courier service on the side. He said he was too busy at work and had not got a chance to sign off. He then signed off, but unless documentation such as invoices is found in the van, it may be impossible to prosecute. Perhaps his brother had just given him a job the previous day.

In that case, however, his jobseeker's allowance would have been terminated. If the issue appears to be more serious, it will be the subject of investigation and the Garda and the tax authorities may be involved.