THE Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, said he was determined to tackle welfare fraud and abuse and apply the full rigours of the law to fraudsters.

Responding to the Fianna Fail spokesman, Mr Joe Walsh, and Mr Peadar Clohessy (PD, Limerick East), he outlined a programme recently put in place. It included a new and more detailed claims form, six monthly interviews of unemployed persons to review eligibility; special review of persons "considered to be at particular risk"; claimants required to register with FAS, improved arrangements to transfer information between his Department and FAS verification of addresses of claimants; a publicity campaign to mobilise public disapproval of welfare fraud, a consultancy study to advise on anti fraud measures, and additional staff being assigned to control fraud and abuse.