Coffey welcomes issuing of Public Service Cards to reduce levels of welfare fraud

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey TD, has said that the number of public service cards that have been issued is encouraging and will hopefully lead to a reduction in the amount of fraud in the social protection system. In a response to a PQ to Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, Deputy Coffey determined that more than 260,000 cards had been issued so far to people in every county across Ireland (see link to PQ response below) and said that he was hopeful that there will be even a greater roll-out of the cards in coming months.

“The social protection system has been too open to fraud for too long now and these cards are helping to cut down on the number of people that can defraud the State out of money. There have been almost 850 cards issued to people from Northern Ireland which will also hopefully cut down on fraudulent claims in border counties.

“I am pleased that this new system is being introduced and such large numbers of cards have been issued so far. We must continue to be vigilant and ensure that the social protection system is used to assist the most vulnerable in society and that it is not left exposed to those who try to abuse it.”

Note to editors: Please see PQ response from Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD:
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2013071600100?opendocument#WRHH00950