Two Gardaí this week began working undercover in Dundalk alongside the Special Investigations Unit of the Department of Social Protection to help crack down on welfare cheats.
They are two of 20 around the country who will investigate allegations and initiate investigations into social welfare fraud whereby people are claiming benefits such as the dole under false pretenses.
The secondment of the 20 Gardaí is for a period of 12 months, subject to review. They have been appointed with powers under the Social Welfare Acts which permit them to work with officers from the Department’s Special Investigation Unit.
The Gardaí will work closely with other compliance and fraud investigation agencies to ensure that social welfare abuse is comprehensively deterred and detected. This interagency activity is a key element to assist in fraud investigation and the shadow/hidden economy will be a key priority for joint investigations. They will be involved in preparing and collating suitable evidence to enable a deciding officer to review an entitlement to social welfare payment and to use, in certain circumstances, in legal proceedings.
In serious cases of identity fraud or multiple claiming of allowances the Gardaí assigned to the Department will be actively engaged in the detection and prosecution of these
The unit is said to have generated fraud and control savings of €64.5 million to date this year, of which €23 million is recoverable overpayments.
Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O’Sullivan said: “This initiative will help combat social welfare fraud, and highlights the skills, knowledge and experience Gardaí bring to tackling such issues. It also demonstrates how An Garda Síochána works in close co-operation with other State agencies for the benefit of the country and its people.”
Talk of the Town 