Two of the country's leading charities have come out against calls for a reduction in the top rate of tax.
St Vincent de Paul and Barnardos say the result of austerity measures is that in 1 in 10 Irish children now have trouble getting basic necessities.
The charities want child benefit to be maintained, as well as investment in housing and work-to-welfare programmes.
Earlier, employers group IBEC repeated its call for a reduction in the top rate of tax.
The group's chief economist Fergal O'Brien says their research shows higher earners here contribute significantly more than those in the UK.