Sir, The figures on fraud within the social welfare system need careful consideration. First of all, 16 plus 28 does not equal 44. That is to say, 16 per cent of, social welfare recipients working, and 28 per cent giving the wrong address, does not mean that 44 per cent of all welfare recipients have defrauded the taxpayer. Some, perhaps many, would be common to both groups.
Yet the media, with the Government's prompting, have gone for the hype. They have deducted the most dramatic figure possible and produced the headline that shocks. The tragedy is that a minority in our society will be branded as the root of all our problems. Little thought will be given to the real source of unemployment. Rather, the victims of the problem will be seen as the perpetrators.
The myth of employment coming from economic growth is fast falling apart. In frustration, our Government has turned the spotlight on the result rather than the cause. No doubt there is fraud within the social welfare system however fraud exists within all sections of life. Efforts to curb it should be ongoing. The "Crackdown" smacks of scapegoating.
Is this to be the line on unemployment in the run up to the next general election? Yours, etc., Green Party Spokesperson for Enterprise and Employment, 16 Presentation Road, Galway.