Pension protest calls for age reversal

A protest was held yesterday with the aim of halting the gradual increase of the age at which retirees can draw their state pension.

Dozens attended the protest organised by Solidarity/People Before Profit Cork North Central TD Mick Barry, and trade union members. Held on North Gate Bridge, the protest aimed to stop the pension age rising to 67 in 2021, and 68 in 2028.

Attending the protest in a personal capacity, David Walker of National Ambulance Service Representatives Association told the Cork Independent he believes the Government is failing to recognise the physical and mental stress required to work beyond 65. Speaking about his job as an ambulance driver, David said: “I would say that it’s a very hard and physical job, lifting patients. And don’t forget we are dealing with life and death. It’s stressful, both mentally and physically. To ask people to continue on for another two years is ridiculous. The Government seem to be blinded by their own ambitions for power and greed and money.”

According to Social Justice Ireland, the percentage of the population drawing the state pension is expected to double in the next 30 years, from approximately 13.3 per cent to 24.6 per cent in 2051.

Ahead of the General Election on Saturday 8 February, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have both proposed bringing back a transitional pension policy to bridge the gap between retirees at 65 and drawing state pension at 67. Sinn Féin and People Before Profit propose stopping the age increase and bringing it back to 65.

Speaking at the protest, Mick Barry TD said: “People are being forced to go for Job Seekers (allowance) which won’t last the two years when it goes up to 67, and it’s less than the pension. I understand that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have said they will now support a transitional payment. That’s not legislation, that’s not law. Right now it’s just a campaign promise. We will not budge one inch from our support for reversing the pension age to 65.”

Deputy Barry believes more focus needs to be placed on taxing the wealthy. He continued: “There are 17 billionaires in this country now, who have €40 billion worth of wealth between them. We need to start hearing more about the idea of wealth tax. This wealth didn’t fall from the sky.”

A recent Oxfam report, stated that Ireland has 17 billionaires, the fifth highest number per capita in the world, and the highest wealth disparity in the EU.

“These people are wealthy precisely because of the hard work that has been done by these workers, who are being hit with the pension age increase. So if there’s a gap to be bridged, let’s look at taxing wealth in order to bridge it,” said Deputy Barry.