It has emerged this morning that the government will attempt to buy pensioners’ votes with a €5 a week increase in the State pension. This would be the first pension increase in seven years.
With over 575,000 pensioners across Ireland, Kenny and co. are salivating at the prospect of getting the so-called “grey votes”.
According to the Government, the intention is to “look after” the pensioners, who have not seen an extra cent in their weekly pension since 2008.
Those in receipt of the State (Contributory) Pension get €230.30 per week, while those in receipt of the State (Non-Contributory) Pension receive €219 per week.
A recent poll showed that support for the Coalition government is sinking fast, so desperate measures to claw back some popularity are expected in the coming weeks and months ahead of the general election.