The Cabinet will today be asked to sign off on the next stage of preparations for the introduction of the 'Working Family Payment'.
Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar will ask his colleagues to approve a five week public consultation.
This will involve employers, trade unions, the voluntary and community sectors, as well as members of the public - all of whom will be asked to finalise proposals for the introduction of the payment.
The Working Family Payment is a key commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government, and is expected to be designed to promote work over welfare by supplementing household income on a phased basis.
Last year, the newly-formed Government agreed that "every parent working at least 15 hours per week will be guaranteed that every extra hour they work will result in more take-home pay".
It added: "We will also make available further training and skills development opportunities for those in low income jobs. By increasing income disregards for lone parents through the Working Family Payment scheme we can progressively support low and middle income lone parents in work."
