The Social Protection Minister has proposed legislation linking social welfare payments to the cost of living or average earnings.
Leo Varadkar made the comments during his speech at the MacGill Summer School in Co Donegal.
Minister Varadkar cited international studies showing Ireland would be one of the most unequal countries in the western world if it was not for the "redistributive effect" of our progressive tax and welfare systems.
He said: "Studies also show that the poverty reduction effect of our social welfare system outstrips that of almost every other European country. So, it is important to protect the value of these payments now and into the future.
"I believe this can best be done by indexing weekly social welfare payments to the cost of living or to average earnings, and enshrining that principle in legislation.
"This will ensure that people who depend on these payments never again see their standard of living eroded or falling behind society in general," he suggested.
Minister Varadkar added that he was hopeful he could gain cross-party support for the proposal, and bring legislation through during the lifetime of the current Government.