The Department of Social and Family Affairs announced today it had saved nearly €208 million in the first half of this year by clamping down on social welfare fraud.
The Minister, Ms Mary Coughlan, said officials from her department investigated 75,000 claims.
Those targeted had claimed unemployment benefits, one-parent family payments and illness payouts to which they were not entitled in the first half of this year.
One hundred and twenty-eight suspect cases were sent to the Chief State Solicitor's office, resulting in 53 court cases. Three people who were convicted were jailed, two got suspended sentences and 19 others were fined.
"I want to ensure that the budget of this department is used to benefit those people who are genuinely dependent on a social welfare payment," Ms Coughlan said.
During 2003, almost €10.5 billion was paid out in social welfare.