The Chair of the Clare Older People’s Council says elderly people who rely solely on the state pension are set for a ‘very tight’ winter.
It’s after Age Action renewed its call for a 20 euro-per-week increase to all welfare payments.
People receiving the state pension and all other social welfare recipients received a 12 euro-per-week increase in Budget 2023.
A double payment was given earlier this week, while another one is set for early December.
However, one advocacy group is claiming today that Ireland has failed to keep welfare incomes in line with inflation.
Policy Specialist at Age Action Nat O’Connor explains why a 20 euro increase is so important.
The Chair of the Clare Older People’s Council believes that a two tiered system for pensioners is developing, whereby those relying solely on the State assistance will find things particularly tough over the next number of months.
Maurice Harvey says he can understand a cautious approach being taken given the precarious economic situation across the continent.
A South East Clare mum says she’ll have to cut back on fixing items in her house to ensure her children get a good Christmas.
It comes as shoppers are being warned they now face paying almost €900 extra a year for their groceries in a survey conducted by Kantar.
Trish Lehane from Cratloe believes people are getting “tired” of having to juggle financial pressures.
Listen back to the full interview here:
