Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford Mary Butler says her party will pay a State Pension Transition to people to ensure that those aged 65 and over do not have to sign on the dole.
She’s hit out at Fine Gael, who despite having been in government for almost a decade did nothing to prepare or inform the public of the planned changes in the State Pension age. The government knew there was an issue but did nothing to tackle it.
Deputy Butler said, “Fine Gael’s complete mismanagement of this issue has led to a lot of confusion and anxiety among people who are due to retire over the coming years. People are now genuinely concerned that they will have to sign on the dole to bridge the gap between retiring from their job and being eligible for the State pension.
“Fianna Fáil will ensure that that does not happen. We recognise that it is inherently unfair for people who have worked all of their lives to then be forced to sign on the dole.
“We will reinstate a State Pension Transition payment which will be paid to people aged 65 and over who are not yet entitled to a State Pension. We will also defer the increase in the State pension age to 67 until a comprehensive review of this issue is completed.
“Fianna Fáil has always had a proud record in supporting older people; under the Confidence & Supply Arrangement we secured increases in the State pension and the Living Alone Allowance. We were also the party who pushed the government to correct the anomalies which it introduced in 2012.
“Fianna Fáil’s record on older people speaks for itself and we will continue to seek supports for older people so that they can live decent and independent lives”.