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Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

How much were fraudulent Child Benefit claims costing the country?

Around €130 million in the last two years.

MEASURES AIMED AT controlling the number of people who wrongfully claim child benefit have saved the country over €130 million in the last two years.

Responding to a parliamentary question from independent TD Denis Naughten this week, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said that the payment costs around €1.9 billion a year and measures to control the numbers claiming it had led to savings.

“The control policy for the scheme was reviewed in 2010 to ensure that controls in place to prevent fraud and abuse continue to be effective and relevant. As a result of this review, additional enhanced and updated control measures have been devised and implemented.

“The child benefit control programme is kept under regular review based on the outcomes achieved.

The total savings from child benefit control activity was €74 million in 2013. The Department has issued 380,000 continuing eligibility certificates to customers in 2014 and has generated €61 million in savings as at the end of October.

Earlier this week, Burton announced that 20 gardaí had joined her department’s Fraud Investigation Unit.

The primary function of the gardaí assigned to the Special Investigation Unit will be to investigate allegations and initiate investigations into social welfare fraud. They will be deployed for at least one year.

Burton said that said that she would “make no apologies for tackling fraud and abuse in the system” in order to ensure “the State’s limited resources … go to those most in need”.

Read: Gardaí on hunt to find dole cheats

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85 Comments
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    Mute thephantomshit
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:28 AM

    Is this the most pointless poll yet?

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    Mute Eoin O'C
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:35 AM

    @thephantomshit: Yes
    No
    Not Sure

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @thephantomshit: run a poll to see ?

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:47 AM

    @thephantomshit: The polls are silly full stop.

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    Mute Orpuk Jones
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:34 AM

    @thephantomshit: its primary purpose appears to be to give people the opportunity to use the word ‘inconceivable’ in the comments section.

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:30 PM

    @Orpuk Jones: seems implausible

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    Mute Squiddley Diddley
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:30 AM

    Inconceivable!

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:44 AM

    @Squiddley Diddley: The perfect response….

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    Mute The Quare Fella
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @Squiddley Diddley:
    You can imagine what a remake would like.
    (Inclusion rider)
    It was successful for good reason. Leave well alone

    20
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    Mute Jodi
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:29 AM

    Yes, I’ve watched it 20 times. No, I wouldn’t watch any remake. As Cary Elwes said – “There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one.”

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:04 AM

    @Jodi: to be honest, just as long as no one touches the Goonies, then I don’t mind what they remake

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:09 AM

    @Peter Cavey: don’t give them ideas.

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:42 AM

    @Peter Cavey:

    Surely you wouldn’t watch a remake of Stand By Me?

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    Mute Diogenes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:37 AM

    Plundering greed, nothing original left in Hollywood.

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    Mute D Writer
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @Diogenes: the studios find its easier to rehash previous successful stories than to risk doing something original.

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:34 AM

    Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my movie prepare to die.

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:21 PM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: fun fact. The same actor played Saul berenson in homeland

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:13 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Nathan Carr
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:10 AM

    As you wish

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    Mute Cosmological
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:51 AM

    Who gives a toss? That should have been an option.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:15 AM

    @Cosmological: I was, but rephrase to be less insulting as ‘I’m not sure’ but at least you got your name into the comments section of the Journal. Well done you

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:51 AM

    I’d prefer a sequel to be honest. Most of the actors are still alive and it could be the next Pirated of the Caribbean if they continue the story of the Dread Pirate Roberts.

    Feck it, Arya of house Stark could join the crew….

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    Mute Will
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:52 PM

    @Reuben Gray: That would involve coming up with some original ideas. Hollywood won’t go there.
    Good idea though!

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute Eddie Mc Keown
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:12 AM

    Noooooooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute Ed
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:02 AM

    I haven’t watched the original.

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    Mute Richard Connell
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:58 AM

    Who would write the music?

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    Mute MurtyMac
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:04 PM

    No and I never heard of it, whatever it is.

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    Mute Michael Friel
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:23 PM

    I’d watch but only if it was a straight adaptation of the original Morgenstern.

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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:14 PM

    It’s one of my favourate movies and the first reason I got into fencing. I am happy to see it remade, it’s not like the old one will disappear or be any lesser for it.

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    Mute Whatever
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:10 AM

    Would still watch the remake just to potentially hate it

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    Mute Keith ☘️
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:16 PM

    No but I ‘haven’t’ seen the original. Poor grammar lads!!

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    Mute Mike Conway
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:19 PM

    I don’t watch any of these nonsense films- I prefer a dry documentary.

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    Mute Jas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:17 PM

    I’m not sure

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @ Dave Harris: Sorry my mind exploded

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    Mute Bunny Johnson
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:16 AM

    Great idea, just look at how well the remake of the Ten Commandments did. Not heard of it you say!

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:11 AM

    I wouldn’t watch nottin…..

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    Mute vfagan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:36 AM

    @John Hayes: that’ll take a while.

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:26 PM

    Who cares about all this distracting chewing gum for the eyes?

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

    1
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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:17 PM

    @Buster Cat: Buster. Did you once go to a quote along screening of this film?

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    Mute Fergus Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:48 PM

    @lelookcoco: He went 3 times at least

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:01 PM

    @lelookcoco: yes once it was years ago but they had it on once a month a long time now

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @lelookcoco: there is something wrong with submit page it tells me it didn’t submit but then it does sorry

    3
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