Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to withdraw social welfare payments from persons who are found to be illegally importing tobacco into the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37989/12]

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. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that persons engaged in illegal activity are primarily a matter for the Garda Siochána. While there is no general prohibition on claiming welfare payments where a person has a conviction, even a social welfare conviction, if the sentence involves a period in prison, then s/he would not be entitled to claim any welfare payment for the period of imprisonment.