Ensuring financial security for older people

CLARE Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey says that her party’s strategy of providing increased financial supports for older people will go a long way towards helping them with the cost of living.

“Older people will be prioritised if Fine Gael is returned to government by ensuring their financial security through improved working-age payments and social protection measures,” Ms Carey explained.

“We will extend the household benefits package, which reduces monthly gas or electricity bills for people over 70 and provides a free TV licence. We want to ensure that people between the age of 66 and 70 can also get support from this package.

“Fine Gael also wants to raise the State pension to at least €350 per person per week in the next government’s term. This will build on increases we have provided over the last number of years.

“The Living Alone allowance, which is an additional payment given to people over 66 who live alone, is something we also want to see increased.

“We will build on the progress we have already made with Budget 2025, where we committed to an automatic companion pass for over 70s and expanded the Fuel Allowance to those 66 and over.

“It is that generation of people who have helped build our country and have ensured the economic foundations that we have today, so its only fair we give back to them.

“Fine Gael in government have continued to give back to older people for their hard work, and if returned to government they will be a core focus once again” Ms Carey concluded.