Budget 2017: Pension squabble shows lack of depth to new politics

It’s nice to feel loved, isn’t it? As the clock slowly ticks down to budget day tomorrow, pensioners, blind people, widows, carers and people with disabilities have seemingly been at the forefront of every politicians’ mind.

Among the recession’s worst-hit victims, those in need will no doubt have been warmed with the knowledge their plight has at last been noticed by those in power.

Elderly people, 85,000 of which Age Action Ireland says are living in “deprivation” and unable to afford heating bills, will be helped.