by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
REVENUE inspectors have warned they are stepping up
their ‘Shadow Economy’ campaign across Inishowen in
a bid to detect people working and claiming the
dole.
The latest operation last week came less than a
month after Newtown was targeted. It saw Customs
officials enter amusement arcades in Bridgend before
descending on a number of bars in the Buncrana area.
Revenue officers are working closely with the
Department of Social Protection as part of the
covert project to uncover any workers also signing
for social welfare.
It is understood that government officers questioned
business owners and scores of employees last week.
With other areas of Inishowen set to be targeted in
the coming weeks and months, a Revenue spokesperson
said operations will continue to focus on businesses
dealing largely in cash.
“Our focus is on any sector that has the ability to
deal in cash. In our experience one of the biggest
risks is the suppression of sales and
under-declaration of income and profits. The
activity carried out by Revenue officers [in
Inishowen this week] is underway on an ongoing basis
and forms part of our Shadow Economy Project for
2011.
“We work very closely with the Department of Social
Protection [Social Welfare] and National Employment
Rights Authority in our Shadow Economy work, and
last year Joint Investigation Units made nearly
5,800 checks, visits or inspections. These figures
have increased this year and our work in this area
is ongoing and will continue.”
The Revenue said it uses all available means,
including probing various financial accounts, to
track down those who flout the law.
“We use all the information sources available to us
to help identify and target the riskiest cases of
non-compliance across all sections of the economy.
Our Risk Analysis system (REAP) has multiple data
sources including information from deposit accounts,
credit union accounts and Suspicious Transaction
Reports.” |
