asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will indicate the number of people (a) charged (b) fined and (c) jailed for social welfare fraud over the past ten years.

The main areas in which fraud occurs relate to the schemes of unemployment benefit and assistance, disability benefit and the PRSI contribution system. In the ten year period from 1977 to 1986 charges were brought against 1,360 persons. Of these, 934 were fined, 16 were jailed and in 298 other cases lesser penalties were imposed, such as suspended sentences, performing community service and being bound over.

Would the Minister not agree that the number of people found guilty under prosecution are infinitesimal compared with the number of people drawing social welfare? In the light of experience during the past nine months where substantial savings have accrued because of a more robust effort to prevent fraud, and in the light of the legislation enacted yesterday, would the Minister assure the House that there will be a more determined effort to get more prosecutions for those who wilfully defraud the State through the social welfare system?

For technical reasons we may get a lot of recovery without necessarily bringing prosecutions in particular cases. The prosecution figures do not always disclose the extent of the work that is going on. In light particularly of the discussions that have taken place here during the past few days the Deputy can be assured that there will be more prosecutions.

May I take this opportunity to wish you, a Cheann Comhairle and the other Members of the House a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Very many happy returns.

They are reciprocated.

That disposes of ordinary questions and of questions nominated for priority for today.