Fianna Fáil says it is too soon to rule out a €5 increase in social welfare payments in the Budget.
It comes after reports over the weekend that the Finance Minister has ruled out such an increase in pension, dole and carer's payments.
Paschal Donohoe is preparing the Budget 'on the assumption' of a no-deal Brexit - stressing he will be taking a 'safe and careful' approach.
This is the last Budget covered by the extension to confidence & supply arrangement between Fianna Fáil and the Government, ahead of a general election early next year.
Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on social protection, Willie O'Dea, disagrees with the Government's approach - and says he will be arguing for a €5 increase across the board within his own party.
The Limerick TD said it's absolutely not the case that his party has reached a Budget agreement with the Government.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, he argued: "I deplore the Government deliberately leaking a story to the Sunday Times yesterday... it was obviously a leak from the Government to create the impression that this was all done and dusted.
"This hasn't even been properly thrashed out yet in the negotiations between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael."
Deputy O'Dea added: "I've spoken to our people, and they haven't even gone into negotiating figures with the Government yet.
"The Budget has to be agreed. Whatever the Fianna Fáil party as a whole decides... I'm a democrat, I have to go along with that.
"But I think what the Government is proposing is wrong, and I think the most vulnerable people in this country should be assisted, even in this small way."
He added that his party has 'more or less' indicated to the Government that they don't want to see any tax reductions in the Budget.
