During a press conference, Eric Ciotti wanted to review an issue that often features prominently in the news: social benefits and their legitimacy. A theme, oh how delicate!
For the president of the General Council: “The fight against RSA fraud is one of the priorities of public action. For a little more than 2 years, thanks to this determined policy, we have achieved more than 13 million euros in savings. Today, I wanted to strengthen the tools for detecting fraudsters by calling on our institutional partners, including the CNIL, to cross-reference new files aimed at establishing the real standard of living of RSA beneficiaries.”
The deputy of Alpes-Maritimes has submitted a bill aimed at punishing deliberate social benefits fraud with the same penalties as fraud. Through these measures, he reaffirms his determination to continue sending a message of firmness to fraudsters so that there is no longer any impunity.
In an increasingly constrained financial context, and to preserve national solidarity, it is essential to combat fraud as decisively as possible.
The point and some figures:
Since the creation of the RSA on June 1, 2009, the General Council has committed to a policy based on seeking a fair balance between rights and duties.
Social benefits fraud must be vigorously combated, both for reasons of social justice and sound public finance management.
Social justice, first of all: It is crucial that users who are truly in need, who respect their duties, and wish to integrate, can benefit from all the rights that are offered to them and that fraudsters are systematically prosecuted.
Public finance management, secondly: According to INSEE, in 2012, social benefits amounted to 620 billion euros and constitute the majority of social protection expenditures. Controlling these expenses is therefore a major issue for managing public finances and spending by the State and local authorities.
Correlated with rising unemployment, there is an increase in the number of RSA beneficiaries (BRSA) to 23,894 (September 2013), a 14.6% increase from 2010 to September 2013.
Similarly, the expenditure dedicated to the payment of the allowance has increased by more than 18% over the same period to nearly 120 million euros in 2013.
The Department has developed a range of measures to combat RSA fraud with the aim that users who respect their duties and wish to integrate professionally can effectively benefit from all the rights offered to them, while fraudsters are systematically prosecuted.
To date, 108 fines have been imposed. 22 have already been paid by the fraudsters. These 108 cases represent more than 450,000 euros of undue benefits reclaimed and 40,000 euros in fines.
These are quite encouraging results.
