More than 11,000 people have social welfare benefits cut in crackdown 

Overall, 11,082 people were penalised by the department last year — an increase of 129% when compared to 2024.

The number of jobseekers who had welfare payments cut for failing to engage with employment services more than doubled last year.

The Department of Social Protection said just over 11,000 people had their benefits reduced in 2025 for a variety of reasons.