The Government has this evening circulated an outline agreement on a deal for economic recovery to trade unions.
The unions are understood to have described the document as "weak" in key areas.
Further talks between the social partners are currently underway at Government Buildings.
Earlier today, a senior trade union leader said that the prospects of a deal on an economic recovery programme were less than 50:50.
Arriving for social partnership talks at Government Buildings this afternoon, John Douglas, general secretary of Mandate, which represents retail, bar and administrative workers, said he was not sure whether it was wise for the trade union movement to engage in a deal before the Budget.
He said that unions would want to wait to see the colour of the Government's money on Tuesday.
Larry Broderick of the finance union, IBOA, said this afternoon that the sides were significantly apart.
The director-general of the employers group Ibec, Turlough O'Sullivan, said on his way into Government Buildings that he hoped an agreement could be reached before the Budget on Tuesday.
Mr O'Sullivan again said that the issue of social welfare rates should be considered. He said that Irish welfare rates were "seriously more attractive and beneficial for recipients than those in the UK and other European countries." He said that it was impossible for the Government to maintain current high levels of welfare benefits.
Talks between unions and Government resumed at 3pm today at Government Buildings.
Trade union leaders met with Government officials for about two hours yesterday where they received a briefing on the economy.
In the economic briefing given to unions, Government officials said that the exchequer deficit at the end of March was €3.7 billion, but all taxes were down year-on-year and PRSI receipts were also weak.
Unions and employers also met to discuss about the status in the private sector of the pay deal negotiated last Autumn.
