Benefits cut for 1,275 people

Some 1,275 people have had their benefit cut because they failed to take up “reasonable” training courses or job offers.

The Department of Social Protection introduced a measure last April which would allow officials to cut weekly jobseeker payments by up to €44 for people who refuse to take up job interviews or offers, or training places.

The level of the cut depends on the size of the allowance being claimed. The penalty only applies to an individual’s jobseeker payments.