Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The big challenge for the State, as Deputy O’Dea said, is to ensure the Social Insurance Fund is large enough to deal with an increasingly ageing population. Yesterday, I attended an Age Action conference at which representatives of all parties were questioned on various issues by an audience of pensioners. The Minister would do well to speak with her party colleague, Councillor Mary Freehill, who attended and got an absolute roasting from the audience. There is a large level of anger among pensioners. It is not about the pension payment level itself but the other cuts and charges that have been introduced over the past several years, such as water charges. If these continue, they suggest the rates for the State contributory and non-contributory pension should be increased to make up the shortfall, particularly as they are on a fixed income. From what the Minister has said, it does not seem that an increase in the pension rates has even been looked at. Is that correct?

Will the Minister give an impact assessment of budget 2015?