Mr. Eamon Timmins:

It is clear from our interaction with older people that budget 2015 must address the difficulties encountered by older people in making ends meet. Given continued media and political speculation regarding cuts to income tax, we asked our members, many of whom would not benefit from such a measure, if the Government was to provide additional funding in one area, the area that would have the most impact in their lives. In their response our members most frequently mentioned additional resources for income and health supports.

In recent budget submissions we have not sought increases in key income supports. Given the state of the country's finances, we had sought to protect existing payment rates. However, having asked people about the reality of their lives, and knowing what we know of the reality of growing older in Ireland, it would be morally wrong of us not to demand increases in key support payments in budget 2015. Therefore we are calling for the following: an increase the weekly rate of the State pension by €5 per week; restoration of the Christmas bonus which was lost in 2009; an increase the living alone allowance by €3.80 per week in order to restore some value to its purchasing power - that has not been increased since 1996; and reversal of the fuel payment cuts and changes made in recent budgets to the household benefits package.

These are among the 36 recommendations in our pre-budget submission, which we have sent to all members. They are also accessible on our website. We encourage members to read it in full. Our policy team is always available to answer any questions they have. I thank members for their time and attention.