''What we need to do is support those families.''
There are calls for Covid-19 welfare payments to remain in place until at least Christmas time.
Sinn Féin says the payments will still be needed in December by up to a quarter of a million people who have been impacted by the coronavirus.
The call comes as the Finance Minister indicated that the schemes cannot continue indefinitely.
Sinn Fein's finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, says ceasing the payments too soon is unacceptable.
''The idea that the government would be allowed to pull the rug from under them and reduce the income to their households is not acceptable'', he said.
''What we need to do is support those families and by doing that you're also supporting the economy.''
There are currently 600,000 people receiving the COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment in Ireland.
