Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Senator van Turnhout drew attention to the motion on the missing child hotline, which should be given a high priority. Senator Daly has also put a great deal of work into it. It has identified a matter in respect of which we are slipping behind the rest of Europe. There would be no cost and we could do it readily.

Senator MacSharry made a point concerning social welfare and social protection. My attention was drawn to two figures published a few days ago by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Last year saw an €83 million overpayment in social welfare, €31 million of which was down to fraud. This is a jolting figure. Can we do anything about it?

My attention was also drawn to the fact that there was a tax amnesty some years ago for those who admitted their guilt. When it was proposed, there was an outcry from us all to the effect that the then Government was helping those who defrauded the State. However, the amount of money returned was considerable, far more than anyone anticipated. Has consideration been given to the possibility of a social welfare fraud amnesty? I am not proposing one, only that it be considered in light of the fact that some people might have histories of social welfare fraud. A sum of €31 million is a great deal of money. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General, some €300 million is still outstanding.