Social Welfare Fraud: Harmful Effects On Society

948 Words4 Pages

Shaniece O Brien
Academic Skills Assignment
Student number: R00115933

The aim of this essay is to discuss the harmful effects of Social Welfare Fraud on society; it is a misappropriation of taxes, breaks down the trust within society and angers the employed hard working tax payer. The 'Social Welfare System' is a program that provides assistance to needy individuals and families. The types and amount of welfare available to individuals and families vary with circumstances. (Investopedia, 2010) Social Welfare fraud is when an individual takes advantage of the system by not declaring all or with holding details required for making a claim therefore claiming benefits illegally. Types of welfare fraud include: Working …show more content…

The country saw a huge rise in people claiming social welfare. GDP dropped by 14% and unemployment levels at a high of 14% by 2010. (Princeton.edu, 2014) Taxes began to increase and people found it became more difficult to secure employment in the country. In light of this the number of social welfare fraud cases also soared to a high. Figures released by the Department of Social Affairs show 334 criminal cases had been finalised in court up to the end of November, 2009 – an average of one a …show more content…

All these points prove that social welfare fraud is harmful to society. It holds many negative effects and something needs to be done about it.
Citizensinformation.ie, (2014). Recovery of social welfare overpayments. [online] Available at: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/claiming_a_social_welfare_payment/recovery_of_social_welfare_overpayments.html [Accessed 4 Dec. 2014].
Investopedia, (2010). Social Welfare System Definition | Investopedia. [online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-welfare-system.asp [Accessed 4 Dec. 2014].
Irish Times, (2014). Budget 2015: Top income tax rate cut, USC rates changed. [online] Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/budget-2015-top-income-tax-rate-cut-usc-rates-changed-1.1962809 [Accessed 8 Dec. 2014].
Irish Times, (2014). Changes to One Parent payment will ‘discourage work’. [online] Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/changes-to-one-parent-payment-will-discourage-work-1.1853887 [Accessed 8 Dec.