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Crackdown on social welfare fraud
21.10.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
A CRACKDOWN on Social Welfare fraud caused long
tailbacks on one of the main approaches into
Buncrana this week as Department inspectors quizzed
hundreds of motorists.
On a few days of multiple operations across the
peninsula, Customs officials also seized a number of
vehicles for suspected non-payment of VRT. One
motorist in Bridgend had his car blocked in by five
Revenue Officers before it was towed away while
other Customs checkpoints were set-up in Muff
yesterday.
A number of Social Welfare officials, accompanied by
members of the Gardai at a special checkpoint in
Lisfannon on Tuesday morning, stopped a majority of
vehicles before questioning drivers and any other
occupants inside.
The operation was carefully planned to coincide with
a busy ‘signing on’ day at Buncrana Social Welfare
Office as a large number of people from across the
peninsula made their way into the town.
Motorists and passengers were obliged to provide
proof of name and age before being asked for their
home address and the purpose of their journey. |
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Social Welfare officials, accompanied
by Gardai at the checkpoint in Lisfannon. |
It is understood the
checkpoint was located on the Derry side of Buncrana
to catch out a number of residents from the North
who are continuing to claim Social Welfare benefits
in Inishowen.
A single unemployed person in Derry is entitled to
around £60 per week while the Inishowen equivalent
receives almost €200 for the same period.
The checkpoint began minutes after 9am during
traffic rush hour on Tuesday morning leaving many
fuming motorists late for work.
One man who contacted the Inishowen Independent
yesterday said he was ‘extremely annoyed’ after
being stuck in traffic for more than thirty minutes
before being waved on after giving his name.
“I can understand them having a checkpoint on but
they need to be properly resourced with enough
officials so that motorists can be interviewed
quickly, keeping the traffic flowing,” he said.
When contacted yesterday evening a Department of
Social Welfare spokesperson said the operation was
one of a number planned to prevent fraud. |
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