Age Action Ireland has welcomed signs that planned cuts in widows' and widowers' allowances could be reversed.
The cuts were announced by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, last year as part of what became known as the "savage 16" cuts.
Social welfare entitlements in a number of areas are to be cut, including the elimination of several entitlements that campaigners say have been paid for by widows and widowers through PRSI contributions.
Age Action's head of communications, Mr Paul Murray, said the cuts are "cruel, callous [and] hitting at the most vulnerable". But he welcomed reports of a rethink.
The cuts abolish half-payments of unemployment or disability allowances paid to working widows and widowers in addition to their widows' pension entitlements. An estimated 2,000 people will be affected in a measure aimed at saving around €6 million.
However, there have been reports that the Progressive Democrats are unhappy at the measure and the Irish Independenttoday quoted party leader, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, saying "the matter should be reviewed as quickly as possible".
Ms Coughlan last week told RTÉ Radio she hadn't "closed the door completely" on a re-evaluation, although the coalition last week voted down an Opposition motion in the Dáil to have the proposed cuts reversed.
Labour spokeswoman Ms Kathleen Lynch said the cuts - which are part of €58.5 million economy drive - made "Margaret Thatcher look like a socialist" compared to Ms Coughlan.