Protest at Dáil on pensions needed, says councillor
FIANNA FÁIL councillor Michael Sheehan has called for a Dáil protest over pensions.
Cllr Sheehan, pictured right, said: than 40,000 retirees have had their pensions reduced as a result of the decision of the government to change the rules in 2012. Shockingly, over two thirds of these applicants are women.
‘In a stroke of a pen, then Labour Social Protection Minister literally doubled the stamps needed for a full contributory pension and brought in additional bands so people on less that full would get a partial pension. Under the old rules, most people received the full but now, people who worked their whole lives now get anywhere from €20 to €30 less than the full €233 rate.
‘ The Government is punishing people who played by the rules and worked hard – especially women who took time off for maternity, family or private reasons. This is patently unfair. That is why I have been pursuing this issue – people from all over the country have been in contact with me, sharing their stories and their worries. We can fix it, the government but restore the pensions under the older rules.
‘So much so, I have organised a public meeting ‘More to lobby and call for the restoration.
On Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Horse and Hound, Ballinaboola, I will be joining Willie O’Dea, FF spokesman on social protection, td Mary Butler TD, Dolores Devereaux, ICA regional president and Justin Moran of Age Action Ireland to outline the need to restore the Pensions of those affected and to call for more respect for retirees.
‘Over the years, their pensions and way of lives are being eroded by cuts and charges leaving those on less pensions, less to live on. After working their whole life, I believe they deserve better. Up to now, the Minister of Social Protection has refused to meet, discuss or change any of the rules. He’s carrying out the cuts inflicted on the pensioners by Labour’s Joan Burton.
‘My objective on the night is to demonstrate how serious this issue is, to say what is required to fix it and if needed, to call for a march on the Dáil to get the minister’s attention that we are serious. I won’t stop until we fix this problem, I’m asking people to come along on the night and show their support and respect for the retirees who built this country.’