Dole cut for 50 who turned down jobs

MORE than 50 social welfare claimants have had their dole cut after passing up employment opportunities as part of a tough new Government measure that will intensify in the coming months.

However, moves to catch out welfare cheats through a mobile phone voice recognition system are on hold while it is decided how best to address the growing numbers of social welfare claimants.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said she wanted to change the culture of social welfare claims through a system of “incentivising” people, particularly young dole recipients, to take up work.