Trade Union Unite says social welfare rates must be restored to 2009 levels.
The union is calling on the government to increase the rate over the next three years.
It's one of five areas that the Union says the government needs to focus on in the upcoming budget, including investment in infrastructure, education and an emergency housing programme.
The Union maintains that it should be possible to raise the necessary funds from other areas such as repayments from the bank bailout funds and a phasing out of the temporary reduction of hospitality VAT.
