Crackdown on social welfare fraud to start in Limerick

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement that a new social welfare scheme will be piloted in Limerick.

“I am pleased to hear that a social welfare scheme to crack down on fraud will be piloted in Limerick city and county. Twenty Gardaí will be assigned to the special investigations unit of the Social Welfare Department.

“The truth of the matter is that the majority of people claiming or applying for social welfare support are more than entitled to it. Thousands of people have found themselves out of work or in need of support and this is precisely what the system is for.

“There are however a lot of people who are playing the system and who are claiming money they are not entitled to. There are people working off the books and there are those taking part in welfare tourism. As the ad on the TV says, these people are putting their hand in your pocket.

“People who are guilty of social welfare fraud are damaging the system for everyone else. By working with the taxi regulator, the National Employment Rights Agency, as well as carrying out multi-agency checks, I am confident that many people abusing the system will be caught.

“This pilot scheme is about supporting the majority of people who are law abiding and who use the social welfare system as intended.

“Thankfully, as the economy improves, fewer people are relying on social welfare. For the past 23 months in a row the number of people signing on has decreased and more and more people are getting back to work.

“There is no doubt however, that there are still a lot of people in Limerick who need an efficient and fair social welfare system. I am pleased that Limerick has been chosen as the location for this pilot scheme, which I am confident will lead to an improved service for those most in need.”