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

I welcome the Minister's focus on the fuel allowance. It is a very good scheme but is not agile enough to cope with the increases that are going to happen. The Minister said, "if this ... [war] continues". It will no doubt continue into the winter and it might still be with us this time next year. That is what I understand and feel, and our State pensioners are feeling that too. They would like more communication and a chance to know what measures might be possible to alleviate the worry and anxiety they are feeling. Bear in mind that said worry and anxiety are then passed on to their adult children, which means that entire families are concerned about this. It is also really important to recognise that these State pensioners, and pensioners in general, are on fixed incomes. They do not have any option or any other avenue whereby they can supplement the income they have. In fact, I sat with a lady last week who was in tears because she is dipping into her savings - money she thought she would be able to give as an inheritance to her children and grandchildren. Now she is utilising it for everyday cost-of-living expenses. I appreciate the work the Minister is doing, but I would love it if we could have some communication to allay the fears of our older generation, the people who helped to build this country.

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