SIPTU to hold pension rally outside Dáil

Members of the Trade Union SIPTU are to hold a rally on the State pension this morning.

The protest outside the Dáil will call on the Government to protect what they describe as "the real value" of the State pension in next year’s budget.

They said the majority of retired people depend on the State pension to keep them out of poverty and that any cut to its levels would have a devastating impact on older peoples' lives.

There is speculation the Government may cut or means test some pensioners' benefits in December's budget, such as free travel and free TV licences.