Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Looking at the profile of payments, the one payment that is increasing consistently every year is State pensions. Over the past four years, State pensions have risen by 17%. We have an ageing population and exposure in terms of the Social Insurance Fund. Has the Department carried out analytical activity in terms of projecting how to address the area?

There are clearly shortfalls. I am looking through it. A lot of payments are various and a lot of them are very consistent over the last four years, but the one area where there are increases every year is State pensions.