The Department of Social Security yesterday clarified that, as indicated in the Auditor General’s report, it has addressed the points raised concerning the department and action has been taken to rectify areas of shortcomings identified.

It said that with respect to the suggestion made by the Auditor General regarding the change in the benefit period for Children’s Allowance, the department had informed the Auditor General that an internal review and analysis was being carried out on the impact that the implementation of this suggestion would have.

“With respect to certain reports that were carried in the media following the publication of the said report, the Department of Social Security would like to clarify that the Auditor General’s report highlighted areas where verifications of declarations could be carried out more effectively.

“As indicated clearly in the same report, the department had informed the Auditor General that verification of income declarations for such applications were being carried out with information obtained from the Inland Revenue Department and other sources,” the department said.