A TD has described Social Welfare inspections to homes during level 5 restrictions as 'callous'.
Household visits have been banned since October - but home visits to welfare recipients to detect fraud have continued.
The Department of Social Protection says its inspectors and staff are considered 'essential services' and are carrying out their reviews in a limited capacity.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon says it's unacceptable.
"Absolutely it is a callous practice.
"It's certainly callous from the people who felt themselves being abused by this system - somebody going into another person's home, rooting through their personal belongings, intensively asking them questions about their personal lives.
"I don't think it's a good practice at any time, I particularly don't think it's a good practice during a level 5 lockdown when we're all supposed to be reducing our networks."
