'It has made matters worse' - Government plan leaves 65-year-old retirees worse off

The new scheme will see retirees aged 65 paid €203 a week - €45 less than the rate of pay on the State Pension

Under new plans, retirees at 65 no longer have to sign on for the dole to bridge the gap until they can claim the State pension - but the scheme will leave many out of pocket by over €2,300 in a year. File Picture.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has been sharply criticised for leaving retirees €45 a week worse off in a new proposal due to be launched today.

Under the plans, retirees over the age of 65 will no longer have to sign on for the dole to bridge the gap until they can claim the State pension. Up to 2,000 existing unemployment benefit recipients will qualify for this new payment immediately.