Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether anti-fraud measures operated by his Department are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31740/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day to day work of my Department. In this regard all staff engaged in claims processing are concerned with preventing and detecting fraud and abuse.

Systematic risk analysis is a key element of the Department's control strategy. This entails the identification, by scheme managers, of areas of high risk of fraud and abuse in the schemes for which they are responsible and putting in place appropriate measures to address them in a systematic way. The purpose of this approach is to ensure that review activity is targeted in the most effective manner.

My Department also carries out surveys of the levels of fraud and error as part of its control strategy and utilises the outcomes of these surveys to ensure that control actually is targeted as effectively as possible. Over 600 staff at local, regional and national level are engaged on a full or part-time basis on work related to the control of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system.

Controls are exercised at both the initial claim stage and at subsequent stages during the claim life-cycle. Claims are reviewed on a regular and targeted basis. During 2005, some 330,000 reviews of entitlements were carried out by staff in my Department. The records of some 5,700 employers were inspected to ensure compliance with the Department's regulations and in particular to prevent and detect abuses of the system. In 2006, to the end of August, over 220,000 reviews have been undertaken with 2,700 employers inspected.

The prosecution of offenders is a key element in my Department's overall control approach. My Department's policy is to consider all cases of fraud for prosecution.

During 2005, 440 cases were referred to the State Solicitor's Office to initiate prosecution proceedings. 271 cases were finalised in court, of which 4 were served with prison sentences, 25 received suspended sentences, 130 were fined, 85 received the benefit of the Probation Act. The remaining penalties included cases which received community service, were bound to the peace or adjourned with liberty to re-enter. Up to the end of August '06, 213 cases have been submitted for initiation of court proceedings.

I am committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them. I am also determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when detected. In this regard the control programme of my Department is carefully monitored and the various measures are continuously refined to ensure that they remain effective.