Fraud and pensions on new FG frontbench agenda

Fraud and pensions on front bench agenda


Áine Ryan

NO REST for colourful Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring as the newly appointed shadow spokesman on Social Protection told The Mayo News last night there is ‘a time bomb waiting to explode’ under the State pension reserves.
Moreover, in a statement released earlier yesterday (Monday), Michael Ring accused Minister Éamon Ó Cuív of ‘not even reaching his own targets in social welfare fraud’.
“Social Welfare fraudsters are having a field-day as the Government scales back  efforts  to  tackle social welfare fraud,” Deputy Ring stated.
He continued: “Social Protection Minister Éamon Ó Cuív is almost 50 per cent behind on his target for  tackling fraud this year. New figures from his Department reveal that the  Government is still a long way from achieving its fraud savings target of €533.3 million in 2010, for the second year in a row.”
The Westport native is not even a week into his new appointment on the shadow front bench, following the reshuffle brought on by the failed coup, of three weeks ago.
As the drama unfolded Ring, the former shadow spokesman on Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, stood staunchly by his leader and constituency colleague, Enda Kenny.
On the subject of the state pensions, Michael Ring said last night that he intends prioritising their security  for older people.
“There is a time bomb waiting to explode regarding state pensions. And I intend to study what the situation is in minute detail over the summer recess and develop a policy that will protect our older citizens, for when we enter government,” said Michael Ring.
He told The Mayo News he was delighted with his new appointment.
“This portfolio encompasses 40 per cent of the entire budget, since FΡs and the Rural Social Schemes are under its remit now. I also want to develop new employment schemes that will give some hope to people,” Michael Ring also said. 
Furthermore, he added that surplus government staff  must  be  re-allocated  to the Department of Social  Protection to help clamp down on social welfare abuses.