Last year the number of prosecutions relating to unemployment payments increased by 50 per cent to 150 cases, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, disclosed yesterday.

Of the cases successfully prosecuted, 108 related to individuals claiming unemployment benefit or assistance. The others involved employers knowingly taking on staff who were signing on the live register illegally.

Some 92 of those found guilty were subject to a fine (ranging from £10 to £1,000), three were imprisoned, 24 received the Probation Act, 14 received periods of community service, five received suspended sentences, four were dismissed and eight actions were successful but no penalty was imposed.