John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29135/17]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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252. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have been identified as actual fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29136/17]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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253. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have resulted in penalties to a persons payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29137/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 to 253, inclusive, together.

Reports from members of the public on their suspicions of social welfare fraud or wrongdoing are an important element in my Department’s overall efforts to prevent and detect fraudulent activity. Since the launch of the recent campaign on 18 April last, 4,859 reports have been received from members of the public. This compares with some 3,322 reports which were received over the same period in 2016. The reports are now being examined and will be referred for follow-up action by the Department, where this is warranted based on the information provided. This work will be carried out over the coming weeks and months.

A determination of fraud can only be made after a detailed investigation by a social welfare inspector (SWI) and the making of a revised decision under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 by one of the Department’s deciding officers. The person concerned has a right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeal Office where the facts are disputed. The outcome of an investigation may determine that the claim is correct, that the customer was in error or fraud is present. The payment to the person concerned may be either terminated or reduced in value based on the outcome of the investigation.

The Deputy should note that all reports received do not lead to an investigation. A preliminary examination of each report is undertaken for relevance and to identify the person reported. Once a person can be identified, the next step is to establish if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment. Where a person can be identified, is receiving a payment and sufficient information is provided to warrant further examination, the report is referred to the relevant scheme area in the Department or to a SWI for further investigation. A payment will not be suspended or stopped on the basis of the report received from a member of the public. The Department can only take this action as a result of an investigation and the making of a statutory decision.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.