Low elderly poverty risk

PENSIONERS have a lower poverty risk than the general population, a study published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found.

There has been a sharp fall in the risk of poverty for older people in recent years and special increases in the State pension have played a significant role in bringing this about.

The report — Tackling Low Income and Deprivation: Developing Effective Policies — points out that while the Government is committed to increasing the State pension to €300 per week by 2012, a more modest target for welfare payment rates for other groups has been set.