Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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274. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a change to the long-standing custom and practice whereby the social welfare appeals system would be exhausted before the State would initiate legal proceedings against claimants suspected of fraudulent behaviour. [22491/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department's policy on social welfare appeals and the progress of cases being considered for prosecution has not been changed.

Where a case presented for prosecution has an appeal pending, the State Solicitor’s office is advised of the appeal. If the outcome of the appeal is not known before the first hearing, the State Solicitor is instructed by the Department to seek an adjournment.

Where there is evidence of social welfare fraud, the Department is obliged to progress the case to court within a specific timeframe. Otherwise the case could become statute barred or the Department could be accused of delayed justice.