Almost 1,500 people lost part of their Jobseekers Allowance for turning down work in the first half of 2013.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton's told the Labour Party think-in that the jobseekers had seen their Dole cut by up to €44 a week.

New rules introduced two years ago allow the Department of Social Protection to cut someone's Dole payments if they turn down a job offer, or don't show up to scheduled meetings.

A further change introduced over the summer allows the minister to suspend Dole payments for up to two months if someone still refuses to engage.