Fianna Fail says it won't accept any lengthy delays in Budget increases to welfare payments.

It's reported today that some payments like increases to the State pension could be delayed until the middle of next year.

Sources in the Department of Social Protection say they want to delay those payments for a few months so they can also give a rise in other welfare payments.

But that may not be supported by Fianna Fail which has been seeking a €5 weekly increase in the Old Age Pension as a top priority.

Public Expenditure spokesman Dara Calleary says his party won't accept long delays - and has hit out at the social protection minister, Leo Varadkar, for entertaining a possible delay: