Greens slam PD pension plans as 'magic numbers'

The Progressive Democrats pension proposals amount to nothing more than 'superficial magic numbers' that do nothing to deal with the inequality of our pensions system, according to Green Party Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Dan Boyle TD.

"The £100 pension was followed by the €200 pension and now the PDs promise a €300 pension; yet still our State pension lags behind at half the European Union average," said Deputy Boyle.

"Where are the proposals to give adult dependents a full pension entitlement in their own right? Where is the shame at policies that have perpetuated inequality amongst those who are retired, such as giving more away in tax relief to support private pensions than is paid directly in State pensions?

"In any case the PD proposals are far too modest. With likely inflation rates over the next five years, we need pension increases of at least €25 a week per year to move us closer to the EU pension average.

"That is 40% higher than what the PDs are proposing, but it is the level of increase that the Green Party will be striving to achieve if part of the next Government," he concluded.