The Director of the Combat Poverty agency has criticised the Government's 26% increase in charges to outpatients arriving at hospitals without a doctor's letter.
Helen Johnston also predicted that the economic downturn will represent a major challenge to the State's improved performance in tackling poverty.
But the Minister for Social and Family Affairs defended her colleague Mícheál Martin.
Mary Coughlan said the Minister for Health did not want to increase charges but rather sought to ensure that adequate medical services were provided.
Publishing its annual report today, Combat Poverty urged the Government to live up to the commitments contained in its programme for Government, to introduce a minimum social welfare payment of €150.
The agency also says there is an urgent need to improve public services such as education, healthcare and housing.
