The government needs to increase the social welfare payment by €20, according to St. Vincent de Paul.
That is just one of the charity's proposals in their pre-budget submission which was launched today.
They're also calling for a €15 increase to the fuel allowance payment, and for it to be extended to 32 weeks.
At the start of the month the charity led calls for the extension of the School Meals Programme to allow it run across the summer months as families struggle with rising costs.
Cork charities are reporting that parents of children who relied on the Government-funded school lunches are now turning to soup kitchens to ensure their children get a hot meal during the summer holidays.
Issy Petrie from SVP says the government needs to focus on those with low or fixed incomes, who they say are at risk of poverty:
"It's really critical that in this upcoming budget, resources are directed towards people who are on low and fixed incomes. Otherwise, we're going to see more people pulled into poverty. We are really calling on Government to recognize the urgency of the situation and provide a sustained solution throughout the year, so that people know that they have the income supports that they're going to need."
