Claims by Deputy Michael Ring that social welfare fraudsters are “having a field day” have been disputed.
Responding to recent claims by Deputy Ring that €110 million in savings has been identified from fraud control activity by the Department of Social Protection, which he suggested is below the Department’s target, the Department of Social Protection headed up by Minister Eamon O’Cuiv, stated: “During recent industrial action within the civil service, fraud control work was carried out by the Department and savings made; the effect of the work-to-rule impacted on the recording of the savings only and not the actual work being carried out.
“This means that the savings arising from fraud control work are higher than the €110 million which has been recorded by the Department. We are not in a position to estimate full savings figures at this time but the Department fully expects to achieve its annual control target.”
