A Government Minister is dimissing suggestions that there won't be enough money to pay social welfare benefits.

According to reports this morning, the fund from which social welfare payments are taken, has run dry for the first time in 13 years.

Minister for Social Protection Eamon O'Cuiv admits that there is no surplus now, like there was in the Celtic Tiger era, but he is adamant there is money there to meet payments.

Minister O'Cuiv said this is not the first time money has been pumped into this fund.