Hanafin refuses to rule out pension cuts

Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin today refused to ease senior citizens’ fears over a possible cut to the old age pension in the December budget.

Research from elderly support group Older and Bolder reveals pensioners are deeply concerned about the future of the pension and other state supports and services.

But the minister said she could not give reassurances the €230 weekly payment would be protected.

“I know that we’re coming into the 1st of November and people are getting anxious and getting scared,” Ms Hanafin said.

“But the best reassurance that I can give to people is that we’re genuinely looking at it (cuts) from the point of how best to protect as much as we can for people, while at the same time we have to make savings.”

Older and Bolder is planning a national campaign to fight any proposed cuts to state benefits, and warned the Government would face the wrath of angry senior citizens if the pension was slashed.

The group is planning on sending out postcards and unveiling billboards highlighting their plight.

At the opening of a new social welfare office in central Dublin Ms Hanfin said the Government had not yet decided where the axe would fall but reiterated the social welfare budget would have to be reduced.

The minister said the social inclusion section of her department, which includes the Combat Poverty Agency, was preparing a paper for Government on the impact of any proposed cuts.