The Department Of Social Protection is set to clamp down on unemployed people working abroad or on cash-in-hand jobs and tax evaders.

So-called 'welfare tourism' is set to be tackled head-on this year.

The Department has issued letters to jobseekers warning them that they are being placed on selective signing.

This means they can be called at short notice to sign on, rather than doing it monthly.

The crackdown will also mean that recipients of the dole could face delays to their payments.

The move is aimed at catching those who are actually working, or those who are jetting in from abroad just to sign on and claim money.

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) says the language of the letter does not suit the tone of what should be a supportive new National Employment Service.

And it is calling on the Department of Social Protection to engage in a meaningful way with jobseekers.

Brid O'Brien of the INOU says the word fraud is used too much and that in fact a lot of the issues arise from miscommunications.