Welfare rules often create poverty traps that make it tremendously difficult for people to get by without stepping outside the bounds, writes Gavin Mendel-Gleason.
The organisation’s director general said Burton’s anti-fraud programme makes a concerning link between overpayments and fraud and creates potential for people making repayments to fall into destitution.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland wants Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to outline safeguards against racial profiling in crackdown on welfare fraud.
The Government trumpets the figure of €600million as a potential saving from social welfare fraud. Just one problem – the real figure is €26million, writes Michael Taft.
Savings of nearly €345 million have been made so far this year as a result of more than 350,000 reviews of social welfare claims. The numbers of people making anonymous reports is on the increase.
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?
BELIEVE IT OR not, it’s just four weeks until Easter, which means it’s less than a month until everyone’s favourite chocolate-themed annual holiday.
Shops have been stocked with Easter eggs for a number of weeks though, so there’s been some temptation for people to tuck into a bit of chocolate before then.
For others, it’s also an excuse to prepare for the big day, whether it’s for themselves or others.
So today we want to know… Have you bought an Easter egg yet?
Windy this afternoon with a little rain
Max: 11 °C
Min: 5 °C
Rain; windy in the afternoon
Max: 12 °C
Min: 6 °C
Clouds and sun with a few showers; windy
Max: 8 °C
Min: 3 °C
