Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
658. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any guidance, staff training programme, operational protocol or technical system has been introduced since 2022 to assist departmental staff in identifying forged, AI-generated or digitally manipulated documentation submitted in support of social welfare claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/26]
View answer659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has conducted any internal risk assessment, review or analysis regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools in the creation of forged identity, residency, employment, income or supporting documentation submitted in support of social welfare claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36870/26]
View answer660. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department uses any external forensic document analysis service, AI-detection software, biometric verification tool or digital authentication system when assessing suspected fraudulent social welfare claims; the annual cost of such systems or services since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36871/26]
View answer661. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare claims refused, suspended or terminated in each year from 2021 to 2026 due to concerns regarding forged, falsified or fraudulent documentation, where such information is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36872/26]
View answer662. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department exchanges data or intelligence with An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners, financial institutions or other State bodies for the purpose of detecting forged or fraudulent documentation submitted in support of social welfare claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36873/26]
View answer663. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any increase has been identified in the submission of digitally altered or suspected AI-generated documentation in support of social welfare claims in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36874/26]
View answer664. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department maintains statistics on the number of suspected forged-document cases referred onward to An Garda Síochána for criminal investigation in each year since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36875/26]
View answer665. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any dedicated unit, team or officer within his Department has responsibility for oversight, monitoring or investigation of forged or AI-generated documentation submitted in support of social welfare claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36876/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658 to 665, inclusive, together.
My Department continues to operate in a dynamic and evolving environment, requiring it to respond proactively to emerging challenges. This includes continuously strengthening and updating processes to ensure vigilance and an effective response to new and evolving forms of fraud and non-compliance.
The Department has a range of verification processes in place to validate and verify the information provided by a customer. The Department also engages in data matching with external bodies and agencies to identify inconsistencies in information provided. Information is only exchanged in line with the appropriate legislative provisions. In addition, our data analytics team carry out risk assessments of individual records and develops analytic solutions to increase the detection rate of non-compliant claims. The Department does not use any external forensic document analysis service and does not have statistics in relation to forged document cases as requested by the Deputy.
The Department’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is staffed by experienced, trained and dedicated teams of investigating officers, including officers seconded from An Garda Síochána. SIU officers have wide-ranging powers of investigation and continue to work in collaboration with other public bodies and law enforcement agencies in Ireland, Northern Ireland and overseas. The Unit concentrates on sectors where social welfare fraud is most prevalent and works in co-operation with other anti-fraud authorities, domestically and internationally, and with An Garda Síochána to investigate, and where appropriate, prosecute offences detected under the provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act or the Criminal Justice Acts.
From the analysis of data from targeted control reviews and random based control surveys, there is no evidence of increased levels of forged documents. Many of our benefits are based on PRSI contributions which have already been paid by the individual. On means tested payments, the three primary causes of overpayments are consistently: working while claiming, payments after death where the customer’s death has not been notified in a timely manner, and changes in means.
