A coalition of anti-poverty organisations has called on the Government to pledge not to make any further cuts in social welfare payments or the minimum wage.
The 'Poor Can't Pay' campaign said its analysis of the effects of the cutbacks announced in the December budget showed it would impact hardest on the poorest in society and thousands of families would be pushed into poverty in coming months.
"The cuts will be worst for children, lone parents, unemployed people, those entering the labour market for the first time and those with disabilities," said Dr Mary Murphy, spokeswoman for the campaign.
"We estimate that thousands of families will be pushed below the poverty line because of the December budget... €1 in every €5 that the Government cut came from the pockets of the poor. This contradicts the Government's stated commitment to 'protect the most vulnerable'," said Dr Murphy.
A report published by the campaign said Government claims that cuts in social welfare were justified by falling prices were inaccurate. The campaign estimates prices have fallen by just 3 per cent for the poorest households, compared to a 5 per cent fall in prices for wealthier households. It said its analysis was based on research carried out by the ERSI, which found the prices of goods bought by poor households have fallen more slowly than general prices.
The main reason for this is that housing costs through lower interest rates on mortgages have fallen sharply and people on lower incomes are less likely to have mortgages. Private tenants who rely on social welfare don't benefit from falling rents while rents for social housing tenants had increased because they were income related, concluded the coalition's report, How the Poor Were Made to Pay.
John-Mark McAfferty, head of social justice and policy at the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, said the "cocktail of cuts" outlined in the budget had were hitting people hard, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and lone parents.
He cited the cancellation of the Christmas bonus for social welfare claimants, the introduction of refuse charges by local authorities and cuts in rent supplement as problematic.
Eamon Timmins, head of advocacy for Age Action Ireland, said fuel poverty was an increasing problem for older people during the current cold spell of weather.
"People are dying because of cold related illnesses and we would urge older people to keep their houses heated at this time," he said.