Over 10,000 people have had their jobseekers benefits cut due to lack of engagement with the Government's Intreo employment services.

Offical figures provided to a Social Democrats TD, following a request to a Parliamentary question, show welfare payment reductions for the unemployed have doubled since 2023.

Kildare North TD for the Social Democrats Aidan Farrelly has said it should be a last resort.

"I completely accept and understand that where people are not showing a genuine interest in returning to work or getting employment that payments need to be considered as part of a measure," he said.

"But it should be part of, and the last step really, in an effort by Intreo offices, by employment workers, to ensure people have the education, the capacity and the availability of supports to ensure they can get employment that works for them."

The figures released by the Department of Social Protection show numbers are higher in counties Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, Laois and Louth.

Main image: Man with many bills or invoices and no money. Alamy 2024