Pensioners forced to wait for modest boost to welfare payments

A 96-year-old widow has accused the Government of forcing pensioners to wait until after the winter months before they see the small boost to their pension.

Mother-of-six Bet Nunan said the extra five euro a week should be brought in with immediate effect to help hard-pressed pensioners pay for heating costs.

Mrs Nunan listened to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe unveil the budget at her home in Blackrock in south Dublin.

She described the increase in social welfare payments as a boost that will make “a little bit of difference” but said more needs to be done to help the country’s poorest.

“It’s not very much, it won’t help poor people. It’s okay for the likes of me as I have enough but’s a very small rise,” she said.

“We got the Christmas bonus which is decent enough.

“The extra five euro a week will make a little bit of difference, it’s a modest increase but I feel the poorest should be helped more each month.

“Waiting until March until we get the extra money is a very long delay, it’s almost six months.”

The retired civil servant said elderly people will have to go through the winter months with no extra money for heating costs.

Mrs Nunan added: “By April next year we will be OK as it will be warmer so those two things are not well thought out for older people.

“They should be brought in with immediate effect so we can use it over the winter months.

“Everyone is hanging on.”

Anna McCabe of Age Action, said: “An increase in the State Pension was overwhelmingly the top priority for our members in Budget 2019.

“An increasing number of older people on a fixed income are finding it difficult to pay essential daily bills in the context of current taxes and rising prices.

“This makes the pension increase all the more vital and we are pleased the government is delivering its promise to reverse the damage to older people’s incomes from previous austerity budgets.”

The organisation, however expressed disappointment at the delay on the pension increase.

Ms McCabe added: “It is disappointing that, for the third time, we’re seeing a delay in the pension increase, especially when it is perhaps most needed in January and February to help during the coldest months.

“We welcome the restoration of the final 15% of the Christmas Bonus and payment as a double week for Christmas 2018 for all social welfare recipients.”

It has also emerged that the “granny-grant flat” initiative has been granted funding to allow older homeowners to modify their family-sized home.

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said the Abhaile Project would allow homeowners to create a ground floor independent living area for themselves and a rental property upstairs.

It is to be trialled through a pilot scheme.