Dáil debates

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

State Pension Age: Motion [Private Members]

 

6:50 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nuair a dhéantar conradh le daoine - agus táim ag caint ó thaobh an Stáit de - ba chóir cloí leis. Tá a lán daoine ann atá ag sroicheadh aois phinsin anois. Bhí conradh déanta ag an Stát leo. Gealladh dóibh, nuair a shroichidís 65 bliain d’aois, go mbeadh cead acu dul ar an bpinsean le hiomlán an phinsin acu. Loic an Stát orthu le déanaí. Loic an Stát orthu faoi na Rialtais dheireanacha. Is mór an trua é sin, agus is drochnós é bheith ag loiceadh ar dhaoine. Tá sé luaite ag na Teachtaí romham an fáth go bhfuil daoine ag iarraidh dul ar pinsean. Tá a lán acu briste tar éis 40 nó 45 bliain ag obair. Tá an droim briste. Tá an tsláinte briste. Tá an mheabhair briste, fiú, ag roinnt acu. Tá daoine eile i mbarr na sláinte agus tá siad ag iarraidh sult a bhaint as na laethanta deireanacha atá acu. Tá súil agam go bhfuil níos mó ná 30 bliain ag a lán acu. Tá siad tar éis íoc isteach sa chiste sóisialta agus tá siad i dteideal an t-airgead sin a fháil ar ais, i bhfoirm an phinsin. Is é sin an fáth go ndéantar é sin a íoc.

We must change our attitude to pensioners. They have been promised that they would be paid once they reach 65 and that they would be looked after by society. That is not the case. As other speakers have mentioned, utilities in this country cost a fortune. Most pensioners I know are worried about where the money is going to come from to maintain their houses, pay their rent if their landlord increases the rent or throws them out, or for food. They know that what little savings they have will not last. While people should have the right to remain in work, they should also have the right to retire at 65 as they have been promised. The pension they have paid into should be fit for purpose in order that they can enjoy their retirement, and not just survive it.

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