"The situation for pensioners hasn't improved much". These were the sentiments expressed by Tom from Cavan who was reacting to yesterday's budget measures on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show.
He said that as soon as the 'one off measures' - which includes a €600 energy credit; a double week of social welfare payments including pensions in October; double payment of Child Benefit in November; a €500 offering to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment; a €400 payment to those who get Fuel Allowance; an additional €200 lump sum payment to those in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance; and a €500 payment for carers and people with disabilities - come to a conclusion, people are going to find themselves "back at square one".
Tom added that the continuation of rising energy prices is causing uncertainty and they should have been capped in this week's budget. He said the €12 increase in Social Welfare served as a "slap in the face" to pensioners because when it's put into context regarding escalating costs, "it will only buy one third of a bag of coal".
"We have a lot of solutions in our own hands. Number one we can introduce oil and gas exploration in our own country - that will safeguard us into the future," continued Tom.
"I think it's about time that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael put the Green Party back into their box and realise that they must look after the living in Ireland."
