Weekly rates of 5,000 dole claimants slashed

Almost 5,000 dole claimants have had their weekly rates slashed or cut off after refusing to take up work or training opportunities.

The numbers receiving penalties sharply increased last year, according to figures from the Department of Social Protection’s annual report.

Department inspectors say they saved €613m last year by carrying out reviews of welfare payments in a bid to minimise abuse of the system.