Sinn Féin is calling on the government to introduce a social welfare amnesty.
The party will include the proposals in its plans for an alternative budget.
The initiative would mean asking the State to write off the prospect of getting money back to people who have been overpaid on social welfare.
It says that by writing off this money, but instead focusing on avoiding the overpayment in future, the state could save around €55 million a year.
The party's welfare spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh says there's no reason why the idea can't be pursued in October's Budget.
It has cited last year's overpayment of the winter fuel allowance - when around 60,000 people were accidentally given one week's extra payment - as an example of how human error can occur.
Social Protection minister Joan Burton has been told she'll need to try and cut €440 million in spending in this year's Budget.
