SOCIAL welfare fraud in Limerick is “very prevalent” according to sources dealing with the Department of Social Protection, who say that some recipients are claiming benefits for persons that are no longer residing in the jurisdiction.
The Limerick Post has learned that there is a major crackdown on the illegal activity as special investigators have been assigned, with the assistance from the Gardai, to clamp down on the fraudulent claims made for those not living in the country or lawfully entitled to such benefits.
Recent investigations have resulted in the prosecution of one man who had been claiming benefits for a person who was not resident in the State, but who had previous dealings with the Department of Social Protection.
This, the Department and An Garda Siochana say, is an example of just some of the claims made without merit.
A Polish national in his 30s living in Limerick, was claiming benefits for someone no longer resident in the State.
His prosecution came after Gardai were called to Dominic Street offices of the department, where he was arrested and charged.
The District Court last month heard a case of deception where payments for a period of four months, totalling over €3,000, were made.
Instances of deception are being reported and investigated where one person is believed to have fraudulently claimed, on behalf of four non residents, up to €20,000 over a 16 week period.
Recently, the Government has, reported savings of over €645 million as part of stringent new social welfare control measures made up as part of their Fraud Initiative 2011-2013.
A spokesperson for the Department said that the aim of the initiative was to “ensure the public had confidence and trust in the Department’s response to combating fraud. It is something that the department aims to vigorously prevent”.
The spokesperson added that through the work and role of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), a number of cases had been brought before the Limerick Courts in 2011 with more to come in 2012, and a total of 174 cases were referred to the An Garda Siochana nationally for investigation and prosecution under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.
In the case of special projects such as non residency and multiple claiming, the Department states that these type of investigations “have been particularly successful,” especially when a joined up multi agency approach is taken.
