Catherine Ardagh
Ceist:277. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people convicted of welfare fraud in the years 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60883/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 6 November 2025
Ceisteanna (277)
Freagraí scríofa
The majority of people supported by my Department receive payments to which they are legitimately entitled. However, to protect the integrity of the system and target resources at those most in need, the Department has a broad ranging and comprehensive control strategy, the Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy, which aims to ensure that suspected fraud and non-compliance in our welfare system is kept to a minimum.
The Department’s anti-fraud and control measures are designed to prevent and detect fraud, ensure effective oversight of schemes, recover any overpaid entitlements identified and pursue the prosecution of offenders where appropriate.
Where we find fraudulent claiming, we vigorously pursue those who offend to ensure the funds are returned and that the most serious cases are brought to the attention of the Courts.
Criminal cases are in the main referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) for summary prosecution under Social Welfare legislation. Cases may also be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution under Criminal Justice legislation. The investigation, consideration and referral of these cases continues throughout the year on an ongoing basis and for that reason, as well as the legal process, cases are unlikely to be finalised within the same calendar year.
Table 1 sets out the number of criminal cases referred to the CSSO and DPP for prosecution and the number of prosecutions finalised before the Court in the years 2020 to end September 2025.
Table 1
|
Year |
Number referred to CSSO |
Number referred to DPP |
Number of prosecutions finalised in Court |
|
2020 |
62 |
82 |
73 |
|
2021 |
30 |
52 |
82 |
|
2022 |
123 |
38 |
66 |
|
2023 |
91 |
31 |
80 |
|
2024 |
84 |
62 |
80 |
|
2025* |
43 |
21 |
53 |
*To end September
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.