Over 16,000 social welfare fraud tip-offs received this year

The Department of Social Protection has received more than 16,000 anonymous tip-offs from members of the public this year regarding suspected cases of social welfare fraud.

A dedicated phone line and website is provided by the department for individuals to submit anonymous reports of suspected abuses by social welfare claimants.

So far this year, 16,359 tip-offs have been received from members of the public, triggering investigations into cases of suspected fraud.

There has been a substantial increase in the number of such reports since the economic crisis began. In 2008, just 1,044 anonymous tip-offs were received.

However, the number increased to 16,917 in 2011 and 28,022 in 2012. Last year, 24,720 cases of suspected social welfare fraud were reported to the Department’s Control Division.

The figures were provided by Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton in response to a parliamentary question from Galway West TD Brian Walsh.

Ms Burton said that all anonymous reports are examined by her department and, where relevant, are referred to inspectors for follow-up action.

She said that payments are not stopped or suspended as a result of anonymous reports but the reports may trigger a review of a claimant’s circumstances and entitlement.

The department’s website that facilitates the submission of tip-offs outlines a number of offences for which a claimant could be reported. These include working while claiming dole, living with a partner and claiming One Parent Family Payment, claiming a benefit for a person who is deceased, and receiving a payment while living abroad.

“It should be borne in mind that, while there is often a perception of fraud, when a case is examined the individual may be doing something that is allowed under the rules of the particular payment that they are receiving,” Ms Burton said.