Age Action has welcomed the Taoiseach’s comments last night that pensioners who rely solely on the State Pension will not be adversely affected by the decisions the government has to make ahead of the Budget.

“It is unclear if the Taoiseach is talking about protecting all social welfare payments to older people, or just the State Pension,” Age Action spokesman said. “But we welcome the fact that he intends to protect those pensioners on low incomes.”

While income is a key issue for older people, it is more important to ensure that the aggregate impact of the Budget does not hit the most vulnerable of older people. “There is a real danger that this could happen in December – the Government could protect the State pension, but then introduce the prescription charge for Medical Card holders and an carbon tax (without adequate income protections for the vulnerable older people) which would disproportionately impact on the poorest and sickest section of society,” Mr Timmins said.

Age Action also notes that the recent announcement by the Government that the Chrismas payment will not be paid this year represents a 2% cut in the incomes of State pensioners.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION. 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449.