One of the country’s largest helplines for the elderly logged a record amount of calls last year, with many of them relating to the security fears of pensioners in their own homes.

Both the opposition and elderly groups have accused the Government of “savagely targeting” pensioners and putting them at risk in their homes as they won’t be able to use life-saving pendant security alarms — now the telephone allowance is to be cut.

Gardaí are weeks away from approving measures to combat rural crime despite growing fears over a renewed spate of attacks on elderly people.

The Government has halved the budget for providing personal security alarms to the elderly, despite a spate of recent attacks on older people in their own homes.

A helpline for the elderly has experienced its busiest Christmas and New Year period since it was established, with pensioners expressing concern about issues such as finances and the emigration of children and grandchildren.

Older people are reporting an increase in family rows and bullying because of financial difficulties, it has emerged today.

The operators of a senior helpline say that Christmas can be one of the toughest times of the year for older people.