Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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681. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the breakdown by location of the 220 suspected cases of fraud that were detected by use of facial matching technology since 2013; the sanctions imposed on persons suspected of fraud during this period; the number of cases of suspected fraud referred to An Garda Síochána during the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52712/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As of 11th December 2019, my Department has referred 225 cases of suspected identify fraud, which were identified using facial matching system, to the Department's Special Investigations Unit for further investigation.

To date:

- 36 cases have been finalised in court. The sanctions imposed by the Courts in these cases are as follows - 16 custodial sentences, 6 suspended sentences, 6 received the Probation Act and, in 8 cases, fines were imposed;

- 146 cases are currently under investigation;

- In 12 cases, the persons have either left the jurisdiction or their whereabouts are currently unknown; and

- 31 cases have been concluded with no issues with regard to identity. 

As the majority of suspected fraud cases are still under investigation, the Department is not in a position to provide any further detail on such cases.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.