The policy of docking unemployment benefit from Northern Ireland claimants when they visit the Republic is outdated, an Assembly member has claimed.
Mr John Dallat, the SDLP's East Londonderry MLA, said it was "more than a little harsh" to cut payments to those who mention to clerks that they left the jurisdiction to travel south of the Border.
Mr Dallat said he was writing to the Minister for Social Development, Mr Nigel Dodds, and the European Commission to raise the issue. "It seems that clerks are duty-bound to report anyone that in the course of conversation mentions that they have been 'over the Border'. Apparently this means that they are not available for work and are therefore not entitled to Job Seekers' Allowance."
He added: "There are few places that one could not return from within a few hours if a job came up."
Mr Dallat said he did not believe that the regulation was appropriate in a modern EU where borders have almost disappeared - "except, of course, in the minds of those who want to remain living in the past".
His call came after one of his constituents had her benefit cut off after she took her elderly mother for a short holiday across the Border to Buncrana in Co Donegal.