A spokeswoman for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Bríd O’Brien, said that cutting the dole for social welfare recipients should be “a last resort”.
More than 1,200 unemployed people have had their benefits cut because they failed to accept training or work offers.
The highest rate of jobseeker benefit is €188, which can be cut by €44.
The reduction is for people who refuse to take up training offers, job interviews or employment opportunities. Some 1,275 jobseekers’ payments have been reduced.
Ms O’Brien said the bigger issue facing those who are unemployed was the lack of quality education places.
“Better advice needs to be given to jobseekers so that they are put on the right path and not directed to unsuitable courses where there is no possibility of work.
“A situation shouldn’t be created where people go mindlessly from one course to another to fill a seat and have no intention of getting a job,” she said.