MEANS tests are duplicated and often carried out on people of no means, the Oireachtas Committee on Public Accounts has been told. At the same time, criminals with lavish lifestyles have been able to claim means tested benefits, a TD claimed.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell, presented his report on means testing to the committee yesterday. He said at least 600,000 means tests were completed annually, at a cost to various Government agencies of £15 million.
A survey showed that 40 per cent of applicants already in receipt of welfare payments were retested, and 38 per cent had no means at the time of application.
Mr Eric Byrne (DL) said there was nothing more annoying to the public than to know that people with money were receiving means tested benefits.
For example, a criminal living in his constituency was recently jailed for 7/2 years after £100,000 worth of heroin was found in a flat in his name.
He drove a 1995 registered Nissan Micra car and received dole as an unemployed person. In his pocket was an application to the Eastern Health Board for a rent allowance for the flat.