Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for that response. I absolutely welcome all the measures he outlined that were contained in budget 2026 and that had a good impact on the State pension and those in receipt of it. However, what I really need to stress is that we are not living in ordinary times. There is a war raging in the Middle East. It is affecting everyone across Europe and in Ireland. There is no end in sight. What I am hearing from State pensioners in Carlow and Kilkenny is their worry and anxiety about what the winter is going to bring and how they are going to manage. We are all aware that people who are in receipt of the State pension, be it contributory or non-contributory in nature, have contributed to this country. They paid into the pot in the hope that they would be able to sustain themselves in their latter years, not in the context of living any kind of extravagant lifestyle but just so they would not have to worry about paying household bills and everyday expenses. If it is not going to be possible to increase the pension, what will it be possible for the Department to do?

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