The Social Protection Minister says Budget 2022 shouldn't be seen in just €5 increases.
All the main weekly social welfare payments, including the state pension, are to rise by a fiver.
Organisations such as Barnardos said Budget 2022 was a good start, but doesn't go far enough to protect the most vulnerable families in Ireland.
Minister Heather Humphreys also dismissed claims that yesterday's announcement was "anti-rural".
Speaking to Northern Sound, she said the budget should be viewed from a wider perspective.