People turning down work over fears they would lose social welfare payments, Dáil committee told

It will be 2029 at the earliest before a new social welfare payments system is rolled out, politicians have heard. File picture: Denis Scannell

People are turning down work because they will lose social welfare payments and other supports under the current system, a senior official has claimed.

The Department of Social Protection has proposed a new working‑age payment model that would overhaul jobseeker’s allowance and change rules that currently restrict people to working three days per week.