Ms Niamh Kavanagh:

I will comment on a few things the Deputy said. On older people being most at risk of poverty, the survey on income and living conditions from last year said the cost-of-living measures had a very positive impact on reducing that risk. It reduced it from 16.9% to 8.3%; it halved. If we take those measures away, by next year the risk of poverty will double once again. As was said, this is the highest age group experiencing enforced deprivation as well. People who live alone and in rural areas are impacted the most, especially with regard to means testing and if they are living with an independent adult, which is common nowadays because of the housing crisis. Many people my age especially are moving home with their parents and do not contribute to rent or fuel, yet the pensioner is being means-tested and refused those allowances based on that.