A Fine Gael TD says the upcoming budget will have 'a fairly limited window' for money in terms of expenditure.
Dublin Fingal Deputy Alan Farrell says the Government will also be looking at a pension increase 'larger than the ordinary fiver.'
He told Newstalk Breakfast those going back to work will also be taken into account.
"One of the biggest parts of the budget - as outlined in a Summer Economic Statement - would be there's a fairly limited window in terms of how much money we can afford to provide in terms of expenditure.
"But the ratio of 9:1, in terms of spend versus tax reductions, is I think a pretty fair one.
"And really what we're aiming for - if you think about the social welfare side of things - is ensuring that people on fixed incomes are continued [sic] to support.
"We do have, as was reported yesterday, significant increases in terms of the State's growth - so the cost of living is increasing.
"So we don't want to leave people behind.
"But we also want to focus on ensuring people who are going back to work are not overly burdened with increased taxation - in particular for those who might get pay raises and things like that".
Asked about a potential increase in pensions, he says this has broad support.
"I do think it's across the board, we recognise that there are fixed costs and other costs are rising.
"And on that basis, I think it's perfectly reasonable for us to consider the possibility of an increase larger than the ordinary fiver.
"But as has been said, it is important that we recognise that there are people out there on fixed incomes".
Meanwhile a Green Party minister has suggested social welfare payments should be linked to the cost of living.
Minister Joe O'Brien believes a fairer system could see welfare and pension rates benchmarked against the average industrial wage or the cost of living.
The Junior Minister for Social Protection suggested it may be a better system than having Governments sporadically increase rates when the money is available.
But while he accepts this isn't going to happen in Budget 2022, he is focused on a longer-term plan.
"We are not going to get to it in one step or two steps or maybe even three steps.
"But I think that is how we need to be thinking - particularly if we are interested in alleviating poverty", he said.
