Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which anti-fraud initiatives have yielded revenue to the extent anticipated; if extra costs have been incurred by the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2387/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The majority of people in receipt of a payment from my Department receive what they are entitled to. Nevertheless, my Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system is an ongoing reality and must be tackled proactively. Anti-fraud and control measures are set out in the Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014 – 2018 and are designed to prevent and detect fraud, to ensure effective oversight of schemes, to pursue prosecution of offenders and the recovery of any overpaid entitlements identified. The Strategy and annual reports on implementation is published on the Department’s website – www.welfare.ie. The report for 2017 is expected to be published in early April 2018.

While data for 2017 is currently being compiled and verified, provisional indications are that the target set for last year for control savings of €510 million will be met. It is estimated that for 2017, as a whole, some €111 million in overpayments were recorded (compared to just over €110 million in 2016). Of this, some €38.3 million related to 10,500 cases of suspected fraud. The value of overpayments recovered during 2017 is estimated at approximately €82 million - similar to the level recovered in 2016. The Department’s Prosecution Service and Special Investigations Unit considered nearly 300 cases for prosecution during 2017 which is also similar to the previous year.

Control and anti-fraud activities are an integral part of the functions of all staff and systems of the Department. No additional costs were incurred during the year on these activities. During 2017, the Department funded an awareness campaign to highlight its anti-fraud activities and the role members of the public can play in reporting potential fraudulent activity. The cost of the campaign before VAT was €163,000. Control savings arising from the campaign continue to accrue and will be included in the overall figures for 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.