Social welfare fraud detection saved the State a massive u£192 million last year, new figures reveal.
The savings were made by a nationwide team of 600 staff working on the control of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system, according to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern said he will not be introducing a new amnesty, similar to the amnesties introduced in 1991 and 1993, and he encourages those involved in fraud and abuse to regularise their position.
The Minister said his Department forwarded a total of 338 cases to the Chief State Solicitor's Office for prosecution for social welfare fraud in 1999. At the end of 1999, a total of 470 cases were awaiting hearing in the courts.
Mr Ahern said details of overpayments arising from fraud or suspected fraud for 1999 were not yet complete. However, overpayments amounting to u£11,320,896, representing 14,147 cases, had so far been recorded as being attributable to fraud.