Group criticises 'fraud solution' for jobless

Changes to the welfare payment system will force people to change the way they manage their finances, according to the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.

Under the new scheme, payments will now have to be collected by recipients at their local post office on a weekly basis, instead of being transferred directly into their bank accounts.

The Department of Social Welfare says it is implementing the changes in a bid to eliminate benefit fraud.

However, Bride O'Brien, senior policy officer with the INOU, says while this may be a small change for the Department, it could mean a big change for people on a personal level, who have already had enough upheaval from losing their jobs.