Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I met the Minister for Social Protection this afternoon and we engaged on this very issue. We are well aware of the needs of our elderly citizens, particularly those on fixed incomes whose only income may be the pension from the State. I am well aware of how hard the past several years have been for them. As is always the case with any group representing a particular part of our society, no matter how valued, we will not be able to meet all the needs and demands in respect of which we are called upon to deliver, because we have to meet a variety of other needs. However, the Deputy can rest assured that in making the decision on the working-age payments – in other words, the core social welfare payments – the needs of our pensioners will be a crucial factor.