The Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has called on Social Protection Minister to clarify if its the policy of her Department to seek low paid jobs abroad for unemployed Irish people.

The Donegal Deputy raised the issue after one of his constituents told him that the Social Welfare Department had wrote to him about a bus driver job in Malta paying €250 per week.

He says "If the man were to get the job he would have obvious extra costs such as rent and travel while trying to pay his mortgage at home". "Minister Burton must clarify if it is the policy of her department to seek low paid jobs abroad for unemployed Irish workers. Is the government now actively encouraging emigration?"

He says he will be raising the issue directly with the Minister "at the earliest opportunity".

Department says move is part of EU service

The Department of Social Protection has told Newstalk that under the European Employment Service (EURES) public employment services in other EU countries share their vacancies with each other.

"Under the initiative, the Department informs jobseekers in Ireland of such job opportunities in the wider European labour market which may be of interest to them" the Department said in a statement.

The man is 60-years-old and the letter he received from the Department was signed off with the words 'Wishing you every success'.

Deputy Doherty has described the move as "outrageous" and has asked the Minister to comment on the matter. He spoke to Lunchtime here on Newstalk.