Eighty-five people were convicted of defrauding social welfare in the first three months of this year, it was announced today.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, said her Department made anti-fraud savings €111.63million so far this year, up by €16.8 million on the previous quarter.
"Fraud and abuse represent a misuse of taxpayers money and I intend to ensure that the Department's efforts are directed at ensuring that social welfare funds go only to those who are entitled to them", Ms Coughlan said.
A total of 137 cases were forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor's office for prosecution.
Some 85 cases were finalised in court. Two people were jailed, seven received suspended sentences, 54 were fined, three received community service and eight received the benefit of the Probation Act.
The remaining penalties included cases that were bound to the peace or adjourned with liberty to re-enter.
Eighty-five per cent of the 1,462 employers who underwent PRSI inspections were found to be compliant. Almost 80,000 claim reviews were carried out.
There are more than 928,000 people receiving social welfare payments in the State. Over 534,000 families received child benefit during the year and more than 1.5 million people avail of free schemes including electricity, travel and phone rental. The State spent €10.5 billion on social welfare in 2003.