Social welfare officers have realised anti-fraud savings of €9.5 million in Donegal during the first six months of this year.
The Department of Social Affairs figure makes up 75 per cent of the €12.36 million which was saved by staff working in the northwestern region of Donegal, Sligo, and Leitrim.
A spokeswoman for the department said the savings in Donegal were one of the highest in the State, and that 16 cases were referred for prosecution.
She said welfare recipients who get into difficulties should seek help from them instead of making false claims. "There is simply no need to try and defraud the system, and people should not be afraid to contact us. There are facilitators in most offices so people can come in and sit down with us and we will gladly work with them."