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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of possible fraud have been identified in boards or agencies of the DHSS since 1995; and what steps were taken to investigate them. [55576] Mr. McFall: The following table provides the information requested in relation to Health and Social Services bodies. No cases of possible fraud have been identified in respect of the Child Support Agency or the Health and Social Services Estates Agency. In the Social Security Agency (SSA) 8 cases of internal fraud have been identified since 1995 in relation to the administration of social security benefits. When internal fraud is suspected, a formal investigation is carried out in accordance with set procedures and under the direction of an Agency Director. As far as external fraud is concerned, a total of 43,581 cases of possible benefit fraud were identified in the Social Security agency for the tax years from 1995 to 30 September 1998. The Agency investigates all allegations of benefit fraud. Investigations are carried out by fraud officials and where evidence of fraud is found prosecution of offenders is considered. HSS bodies _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Total number of cases Number of cases confirmed as Action taken erroneous 1995 1 -- Officer dismissed 1996 2 -- 1 No further action possible. Individual responsible not traced 1 Police investigation handled nationally 1997 6 1 2 Currently at court 1 Disciplinary Hearing--officer resigned 1 No criminal offence--referred to Disciplinary Committee 1 Under police investigation 1998 9 1 4 under police investigation--one of which referred to General Medical Council 3 under internal investigation-- one of which referred to Disciplinary Committee 1 Officer dismissed _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

317 c911W; 55576

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Abuse Fraud Northern Ireland Social security Social security benefits Social Security Agency

Contains statistics

Yes