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Buncrana drafts in dole detectives
20.08.09
EXTRA dole fraud
inspectors have been drafted in to Buncrana to vet
social welfare claims and make more unannounced
visits to claimants. The move is part of the
Government's clampdown on social welfare fraud as
the recession deepens and Inishowen's Live Register
figure breaches the 5,000 mark while the county as a
whole hits 20,000.
Letterkenny has also seen an increase in the number
of social welfare inspectors, according to Donegal
Senator Cecilia Keaveney.
"Social Welfare fraud is still a major issue and
extra inspectors have been brought in to both
Buncrana and Letterkenny to vet claims and make
unannounced visits to houses to ensure the validity
of applications," said Senator Keaveney.
"This slows down any process but, in looking at
monies saved from the North West in relation to
Social Welfare officers following up information
from the public, this extra vigilance is certainly
paying off in many border areas."
Latest figures show that more people are prepared to
report suspected fraud with around 200,000 calls
made this year to the welfare information line
nationally. |
Meawnwhile, Letterkenny
has been named among the 19 centres nationally where
Job Seekers' Allowance and benefits are to be
fast-tracked. Senator Keaveney said
Minister Mary Hanafin would likely make Buncrana the
20th fast-track centre.
"This move for Letterkenny is extremely important
and very much welcomed by all those who will be
seeking either the Job Seekers Allowance or benefit
claims. However, there is a need for such a service
in Inishowen also and I have spoken to Minister
Hanafin already on this issue.
"In Buncrana, I am aware that those |
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working in the Social
Welfare offices are providing a top class service
under very difficult physical circumstances.
Buncrana has a better record than the national
average with applications for Job Seekers Benefit
dealt with in three weeks while the national average
is 3.5 weeks and the Job Seekers Allowance dealt
with in five weeks when the national average is over
six weeks," she added. Buncrana's Social Welfare
staff are scheduled to move into their new Ardaravan
Square premises around November 2009. |
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