Government documents recommend larger cut to jobseeker's allowance to 'trigger' engagement with Intreo services

A spokesman for the Department of Social Protection said their Intreo service helped jobseekers with a wide range of support including education, training, work placements, and other programmes. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Internal government documents said the welfare system needed a stronger “trigger” to force people who were unemployed to engage with employment services.

In briefings, officials said a €44 cut on jobseeker payments had not been changed in over a decade, and should be doubled at a time of full employment.