As the Government meet to finalise plans for cost of living supports, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament call for targeted measures for those living on the state pension. However welcome the one-off measures are in light of energy bills, this is not a long-term solution. People living on an income that cannot meet the on-going day to day costs of food, heat and light, not to mention the cost of a car which is a necessity if you live in rural Ireland, require a more long-term solution

In the last Budget, the Government were aware that a minimum increase of €20 was needed to ensure that people dependent on the State Pension did not fall below the poverty line. They now need to adjust the pension to reflect this shortfall. The €1.2 billion allocated for untargeted energy support payments might be better spent on core social transfers.

We understand that the cost-of-living increases affect all people however, the ability to meet the rising costs is not universal. While it is very difficult for some, it does not present the challenge of ‘eating or heating’.  For people living on the state pension of €265.30, there is no capacity to save for ‘rainy days’ or savings to meet the unprecedented energy bills.

In the light of well publicised profits for energy companies while people on a state pension struggle to meet energy bills, the need to address the inequality is crucial. This coupled with the Oxfam Report on Wealth require an immediate action. This includes the considerations on a Wealth Tax and/or windfall tax on energy providers and oil companies. The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament support the call from Social Justice Ireland for action on this issue.

On the 25^th of January, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament headed up a delegation of ISCP members, whom are also retired workers, who presented to the Joint Committee on the Industrial Relations Bill. This bill is in relation to the Provisions in Respect of Pensions Entitlements of Retired Workers.

We presented to the Joint Committee, on the inclusion of the voice of retired workers on key decisions relating to their pension income. The Joint Committee is comprised of members from both Houses of the Oireachtas, the Dáil and the Seanad. This is the second stage or detailed scrutiny stage for this Bill and we have a long battle to progress this Bill through the many stages. 

However, we are steadfast in our belief that all decisions, regarding the pension income of retired workers, should be decided with their voice and experience being included in the process.

We want to thank those who were in attendance on the day, supporting their peers. We also wish to thank each of the representatives for their excellent presentations and all of their ongoing hard work on this crucial issue.