Jul 3, 2015:

Active Retirement Ireland calls on Minister Joan Burton to restore faith the State Pension

Active Retirement Ireland, the country’s largest community-based older people’s organisation, has today called on Minister Joan Burton to “restore faith” in the State Pension by increasing it by €5 per week.

Speaking at the Department of Social Protection’s Pre-Budget Forum at Dublin Castle today, July 3^rd, 2015, Active Retirement Ireland spokesperson Peter Kavanagh said, “The State Pension has remained static since 2008. While this has been welcomed by older people, this fixed income has had to cover the additional costs of charges and increased cost of living; in particular water charges and Local Property Tax. It has become more and more challenging for older people to maintain an adequate quality of life and standard of living in recent years.”

In addition to the pension increase, the organisation is calling on the Government to reverse cuts to the Household Benefits Package, reduce prescription charges and increase the Living Alone Allowance to €10.

“Increasing the income of older people would restore some faith in the State Pension and in Ireland as a Social Welfare state,” said Kavanagh, “The State Pension acts as a buffer that keeps the vast majority of older people out of poverty. It’s time to ensure that it provides an adequate income for all older people.”

The full Pre-Budget Submission can be viewed HERE

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