Over 10,000 jobseekers lose benefits due to lack of engagement with Intreo

Over 10,000 people have had their jobseekers benefits cut due to lack of engagement with the Government's Intreo employment services.

Official figures provided to a Social Democrats TD, following a request to a parliamentary question, shows welfare payment reductions for the unemployed have doubled since 2023.

The figures released by the Department of Social Protection show numbers are higher in counties Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, Laois and Louth.

Social Democrats TD for Kildare North, Aidan Farrelly, says it should be a last resort.