Social Justice Ireland (SJI) is calling on the next Government to use the Covid-19 illness payment as a basis to reform the social welfare system.
The think tank said the increase in the emergency payment to €350 per week was an acceptance that the rate of €203 in benefit per week was not enough.
SJI said the basic Jobseeker's Allowance of €81 is below the poverty line and rather than reducing the Covid-19 payment, the social welfare system should be reformed.
It has called for welfare rates to be indexed to the minimum essential budget standard.
SJI has also called on the new Government for a reform of the social welfare system.
It said it would give certainty to people on fixed incomes and ensure that the weakest in society are not left behind again.
