David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the breakdown of the number of cases of social welfare fraud detected in 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006 respectively; the breakdown of same per county; the cost of same to his Department; the action taken as a result of the discovery of fraud; the number of legal proceedings initiated, prosecutions obtained and the amount of money recouped by his Department as a result of legal action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21057/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The number of overpayments set up as a result of detected or suspected fraud and their corresponding monetary value for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 is as shown in the table.

Information on overpayments is not maintained in such as way as to facilitate a county by county breakdown.

Prosecutions are taken against persons who defraud the social welfare payments system and employers who fail to carry out their statutory obligations. My Department's policy is to consider all cases of fraud for prosecution. The decision to prosecute in a given case is based on the nature of the alleged offence, the evidence available and the particular circumstances of the individual employer or claimant.

During 2004 and 2005, 503 and 440 cases respectively were referred to the Chief State Solicitors Office to initiate prosecutions proceedings, with 22 cases referred to date in 2006. A total of 282 and 271 cases were finalised in the courts in 2004 and 2005 respectively with 68 cases finalised so far this year. Recoveries on overpayments totalled EUR 19.7 million in 2004, EUR 20.2 million in 2005 and EUR 9.6 million in 2006 to date. Statistics are not maintained in such as manner that they can be attributed to specific types of overpayment.

I am committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them and that they are delivered in an effective and efficient way. I am also determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when detected and I will take whatever steps are necessary to achieve this.