The Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed has called on the Taoiseach to urgently reconvene the Social Partners to tackle the mounting jobs crisis.
It also says it is essential that social welfare payments are maintained at their current rates as some recipients already stand to loose 5% of income this year due to last month's Budget.
INOU spokeswoman Bríd O'Brien says the scale of the problem facing the country demands a much bigger and more focused response than we have seen to date.
She said politicians and civil servants cannot tackle the gathering storm alone.
The INOU wants the High Level Group on the Labour Market to embrace employers, unions, farmers and the community and voluntary sector in the national debate.
The Group was established late last year but has only met once.
The INOU says it could harness national and local expertise - accumulated during previous unemployment crises - to produce innovative and constructive solutions.
Ms O'Brien is urging investment in education and training to ensure that when the upturn comes, those unemployed will be well positioned to access employment.
In the meantime, she says it is imperative that social welfare payments are maintained at their current rates.
Otherwise, she warns, poverty will start to rise again.
She says this has already happened for long-term unemployed people living in Rent Supplement accommodation as recent Budget changes will result in an average loss of income of 5% this year.
