CONCERN about the high level of social welfare fraud in the region has been expressed by west Limerick based TD, Patrick O’Donovan.
The Fine Gael politician is adamant that the black economy is alive and well and presents a serious problem.
Speaking in the Dáil recently, he said:
“At present in every town, village and city in the country there are self-employed people who are doing their best to ensure they do everything in accordance with the social welfare and tax codes, but they are competing against those who are being subsidised through the social welfare system”.
He suggested that PPS numbers be used to fight social welfare fraud:
“If you change your car there is no requirement to produce a PPS number when registering the car with the motor tax office.
“Data protection rules prevent the motor tax office feeding information to social protection offices which, in turn, are prevented from doing the same with local authorities”.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Deputy O’Donovan said the system is made too easy in some respects.
“The PPS is one of the only ways of bringing everything together. Data Protection hides the transfer of information from one department to another.
“Some people are in dire straights, so the protection of their social welfare rates is the most important thing”.
He also urged the Department of Social Protection to look at redeployment of staff to fight social welfare fraud.
A review of providing social welfare to EU citizens in Ireland is also necessary, according to deputy O’Donovan.
“There is a need for us to examine our obligations to those in residence in Ireland.
“To some, I think we are seen as a soft touch and a welfare destination”.
Rent supplement, he argues, also needs to be reformed.
