Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total verifiable amount of fraud in the social welfare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11720/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 the Department which makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week and processes in excess of 2 million claims each year. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them. The most reliable measure of excess payments by the Department through fraudulent claiming is by way of fraud overpayments raised. To prove fraud requires careful investigation of the case, establishment of the facts often under a cautioned interview, a disallowance of payment by the deciding officer and the setting up of an overpayment in respect of the historical period, where that is possible.

In 2010, there were a total of 51,950 overpayments assessed on scheme cases which amounted to €83.4m and represented 0.41% of total Departmental expenditure. Overpayments arising from activity suspected of being fraudulent amounted to €25.9m in 2010, representing less than 0.1% of total Departmental expenditure. The overpayments figures for 2011 will not be available until audited by the Comptroller & Auditor and General.

Fraud & Error surveys give an indication of exposure to risks of abuse on different schemes. Surveys were conducted on disability allowance, one parent family payment and jobseekers benefit in 2010 and 2011 and the results will be available in the near future.

The Fraud Initiative 2011 – 2013 sets out a range of actions to ensure that an integrated approach is taken to the prevention, deterrence and detection of social welfare abuse across the Department's schemes. Under the Initiative, there will be greater liaison at local level with employers and the business community generally to pursue allegations of abuse and to monitor emerging trends. In this regard, it should be noted that some 190,000 people work and legitimately receive a welfare payment.