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Mark Stedman/ Photocall Ireland
A queue for the social welfare office on Bishop Square in Dublin in June
# Your Say
Poll: Is the social welfare fraud probe a good idea?
It has been revealed that the current crackdown on social welfare fraud has already yielded millions of euro in savings. With an entire new fraud unit to be established, we’re asking you: Is the crackdown a good idea or is it targeting the vulnerable?
FIGURES SEEN BY the Irish Examiner state that the crackdown on social welfare fraud has yielded €37m of savings so far this year.
Joan Burton, the Minister for Social Protection, is hoping to set up a dedicated social welfare fraud unit later this year. This will be launched as social welfare claimants receive new national identity cards which carry their picture. TheJournal.ie revealed last February that the then-Minister for Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv announced the issuing of the so-called Public Service Cards just before leaving office. At the time, a civil liberties group voiced concern that the cards might “compromise privacy”.
Do you feel the crackdown on social welfare fraud is a good idea?
Poll Results:
Yes - it is necessary and it is saving taxpayers' money (2489)
No - I think it is targeting the vulnerable (259)
Maybe (124)
I don't know (52)
Read: Millions of euro saved in crackdown on welfare fraud>
