A fear of retribution has contributed to a low level of complaints against social welfare inspectors by claimants, according to experts in the sector. Social welfare inspectors can visit homes and workplaces to "ensure that compliance is in order", according to the Government. An investigation by the Irish Examiner this week found that many women who received a lone-parent payment have reported being "harassed", "stalked", and "bullied" by social welfare inspectors who turn up unannounced to their home. Those in the sector say that complaints continue to be low due to fear of retribution and an adversarial approach from those who work in social welfare. Read More Overreach of power: Intimidation and harassment in the social welfare systemJoe Whelan, a lecturer in Applied Social Studies at UCC, has researched the social welfare system for a number of years.

Source: Irish Examiner October 25, 2020 20:44 UTC