The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) wants a comprehensive social inclusion package to form the basis of a new national agreement.
In a statement yesterday CORI's justice commission said such a package must include substantial new commitments on income, work, housing, healthcare, education, rural development, equality and participation.
The Government and social partners should respond positively to public opinion, it said, and pointed to a recent Irish Times/MRBI poll showing that Irish people favoured improved services over tax cuts.