News
“A Pension is not a gift, it is a Right!”
Following on from last week’s post, we wanted to share a video from Twitter of our CEO in action. Susan Shaw recently appeared on French TV expressing the necessity for an adequate and equal pension and the right to a decent standard of living.
We use the media whenever possible, to highlight this issue and to create a greater awareness of the need to address the insecurity of the current system.
"Si j'ai travaillé toute ma vie, même si j'ai eu un emploi mal payé, j'ai autant le droit à une #retraite de qualité, qu'un cadre supérieur."
Susan Shaw, directrice du @seniorsparl, plaide pour un niveau de vie décent pour tous.

#27Arte #retraités #ReformeDesRetraites pic.twitter.com/GYSG1WaCjl— 27 – ARTE (@27_ARTE) October 31, 2022
The translation of the above Twitter post reads:
“If I’ve worked all my life, even if I’ve had a low-paying job, I have as much right to a quality retirement as a senior executive.”
Susan Shaw, Director of @seniorsparl, advocates for a decent standard of living for all.
We continue to make links around Ireland and with other EU countries on the issue of pension adequacy. We will endeavor to advocate for a more sustainable and equal pension system.
Pensions: are we doomed to work longer and longer? – ARTE 27
We are consistently working towards a secure safe and adequate income for people reliant on the state pension. We believe this is crucial to ensuring older people live without fear of poverty and the ability to meet their everyday bills. In order to further this discussion, we use the media whenever possible, to highlight this issue and to create a greater awareness of the need to address the insecurity of the current system.
This system relies on ‘adhoc’ increases at Budget allocation, with no reference as to how this sum was arrived at. Some years €5.00 and some years no increase at all. We need the pension to reflect the cost of living and to ensure this we advocate for linking the pension to 34% of the average industrial wage. The current Government committed to this but as yet has not implemented it. We will continue to advocate strongly for this.
We have made links with other EU countries on this issue and the photo above shows CEO Sue Shaw on ARTE 27 TV Debate Show discussing the issue of pension adequacy.
You can watch the entire debate here.
Please note that audio and subtitles are only available in French and German.
Annual Parliament Meeting 2023
This year’s Annual Parliament Meeting is set to take place on Wednesday 11th October in Liberty Hall, Dublin.
The APM nomination papers and Delegate Registration Forms have been posted to all affiliated groups. The annual meeting is a great opportunity for our members to come together and discuss key issues affecting older persons. One of the strongest assets we have as an organisation is our membership.
When: Wednesday 11th October
Where: Liberty Hall, Eden Quay North City, Dublin 1.
The Board, Executive and staff team are looking forward to seeing as many representatives as possible. If you require any further information, please feel free to contact Grace on 085 260 4957 or by email office@seniors.ie
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 11th October.
Budget 2023
For many people the budget will have left a sense of disappointment. The Government were (and are) in a strong financial position with a projected surplus in public spending and considerable income from revenue through taxes.
A key ask in the ISCP Budget Submission was the need to address the lack of a secure income for those on State Pension and to have Government’s commitment to link State Pension to the average Industrial Wage honoured. This did not happen in this Budget but we welcome the commitment as referenced by Minister Joe O Brien to review the State Pension and link it to a percentage of the average industrial wage.
Below is a summary of some of the areas affected by Budget 2023:
Key payments for Pensioners
€12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all state pensions & proportionate increase for qualified adults & people receiving a reduced rate. Effective from Jan 2023.
New Means Test disregard for Fuel allowance for people over 70 (€500-single; €1,000 couple).
Normal Means assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance increases from €120 to €200. Effective from Jan 2023.
Autumn Cost of Living Double Pension Payment paid to all starting week of 17th October.
€200 Lump sum payment payable to those already receiving the Living Alone Allowance.
Christmas Bonus Double payment in December.
Support for Carers
Cost of Living Double payment to carers in October
€500 Cost of Living payment for people receiving Carer Support Grant
Christmas bonus double payment
€12 increase in maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance/Benefit. Proportionate increase for people receiving a reduced rate. Effective from Jan 2023
Qualified Child Payments in weekly rates will increase by €2 in Jan 2023 (€50 for over 12 and €42 for under 12 yrs)
Means Assessment for Fuel Allowance to change from €120 to €200 from Jan 2023
Half rate Carers Allowance will be disregarded in the Means Assessment for Fuel Allowance
Support for People with Disabilities
Special €500 cost of living disability support grant for those in receipt of long-term Disability Payments (Nov 2022)
€200 lump sum payment for people receiving a disability allowance and living alone
€400 lump sum fuel allowance payment
Christmas Bonus Double payment
Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €20.50 to €330 per month (Jan 2023)
Disablement Benefit will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance
Earnings Disregard for Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will be increased from €140 to €165 (Jan 2023)
Means Assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance will increase from €120 to €200 (Jan 2023)
We welcome the one-off payments and supports relating to electricity, as they offer some much needed albeit short-term support to people. While the €12 increase in State Pension is an improvement on past years, it will not meet the need for a guaranteed income that keeps people living above the poverty line. This is a serious concern as some economists are projecting, we will be looking at inflation running at 10% or over in early 2023.
In a meeting with the Dept of Social Protection post Budget we asked when the eligibility criteria for various supports; medical cards etc to match this increase will be addressed. We were assured this is currently being worked on.
More information on Budget 2023 and access to an easy-to-understand format is available here: