Pension going up - by a fiver

Senior citizens receiving the Contributory State Pension will see an increase in their pensions from tomorrow.

The top rate of the contributory pension is to rise to €238.80.

But the lobby group Age Action has warned that the increase is just the first step in restoring the incomes of pensioners.

Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications, said: “Before last year’s election pensioners were promised the State Pension would be increased by €25 over the following five years.

“We welcome the €5 increase, the largest in some time, that will come into effect tomorrow as the first step in delivering on that commitment to Ireland’s more than half a million pensioners.

“More than 85,000 people over the age of 65 are living in deprivation because of rising costs and cuts to income supports. They need a fair State Pension that will enable older people to live with dignity and independence.”