John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

116. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of active cases of social welfare fraud investigation currently ongoing in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50827/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department’s Compliance and Anti Fraud Strategy sets out a range of measures designed to prevent and detect fraud, ensure effective oversight of schemes, recover any overpayments identified and to pursue the prosecution of offenders where appropriate.

Where suspected fraudulent activity is identified, each individual case is examined and the Department then decides on the most appropriate course of action, up to and including prosecution, if warranted.

Data is not available on active suspected fraud cases under investigation. Investigations are only categorised as suspected fraud when a Deciding Officer has examined the case in detail and is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or willfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases.

During 2024, almost 115,000 overpayments were raised with just over 6,000 being categorised as suspected fraud, with overpayments raised to a value of €24.3m in respect of these cases.