Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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190. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare inspectors who have been provided with training in relation to human trafficking. [14362/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The primary role of the social welfare inspectorate involves the interviewing of scheme claimants and investigation of relevant circumstantial and means factors in order to determine the satisfaction of scheme eligibility conditions. The investigative function continues, at periodic intervals, when inspectors are assigned cases for investigation to determine continuing satisfaction of scheme conditions and report any changes that impact on payment entitlement rates.

Additionally, inspectors undertake investigations of employers in relation to PRSI scheme compliance and maintenance of individual employee records. The detection and prevention of scheme fraud and abuse is also a part of an inspector’s role.

No training in relation to human trafficking has been provided to social welfare inspectors attached to the Department’s Control Operations Unit or the Special Investigations Unit.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.