Jobseekers who do not engage with the State's employment service could see their welfare payments reduced by €90 starting in January.
This proposal is part of the Social Protection Bill currently under consideration in the Seanad.
At present, jobseekers who refuse to engage face a weekly reduction of €44 in their benefits, but this cut will more than double next year.
The government's stance is that those claiming jobseeker’s allowance have a duty to actively seek employment and work with the State’s employment services.
The intention behind this measure is to prevent the unemployed from becoming further detached from the labor market and losing their skills.
During her address to the Seanad, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys stated, "The reductions in jobseeker's rates aim to promote compliance with the requirements for jobseekers to be available for and genuinely seeking work."
She emphasized that jobseekers should "actively engage with the Department’s Intreo Public Employment Service and, when appropriate, participate in supported employment, education, or training programs."
Humphreys noted that reduced rates will only apply if a jobseeker does not engage with the State's employment services.
Before any reduction is implemented, the jobseeker will receive at least two notifications encouraging them to engage or to provide a reasonable explanation for their lack of engagement.
At a press conference, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers remarked, "If individuals aren’t engaged, it affects their core payment."
He clarified that this change continues the existing policy, albeit with an adjustment to the reduction rate.
However, this measure has drawn criticism from the opposition.
Labour Party spokesman Duncan Smith described it as "a punitive approach that amounts to dog whistle nonsense from the Government."
He argued that the Government should focus on helping the long-term unemployed find work and ensuring support for those unable to work.
Source: RTE