Kilkenny pensioners ‘genuinely worried’ about coming winter due to rising fuel costs

Pensioners in County Kilkenny are “genuinely worried” about the coming winter due to high rising fuel costs, the Dáil has heard.

Fine Gael Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan spoke on the subject during a recent ‘Questions on Policy or Legislation’ session.

Deputy Callaghan said: “I would like to speak on behalf of those in Carlow and Kilkenny who are in receipt of the State pension. As we all know, State pensioners worked hard their entire lives.

“They paid into the pot to ensure that they have an income to help them sustain not an extravagant lifestyle in retirement but to have enough in order that they do not have to worry unnecessarily about household bills and everyday essentials in their later years.

“Bearing in mind that their income is fixed and in light of the ongoing war in Iran that is looming large on the horizon, many of the State pensioners I have spoken to in Carlow and Kilkenny over the past couple of weeks are genuinely worried about how they are going to manage in the winter time.”

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She went on to ask Taoiseach Micheál Martin what steps the Government is going to take to address the issue.

“I have spoken to my party leader about this matter, but I want to ask the Taoiseach directly if the Government will commit to prioritising a significant increase in the State pension in Budget 2027.

“Will it prioritise a targeted support package for the duration of the war for, in particular, State pensioners in order that they can enjoy their later years?”

In response, the Taoiseach outlined the steps the Government has already taken in light of the fuel crisis.

“We extended the free fuel allowance for a month. Obviously, the Government, as a collective, will address this.

“Every party in government will have to work collectively to prioritise things for the budget in terms of having a targeted approach and how, in general, we alleviate the impact of the undoubted pressure that those in society who are most vulnerable are feeling as a result of the war.

“We increased the State pension last year by about €10, which was a high increase relative to the rate of inflation.

“We have been doing that successfully over the years. We have also put in place other supports for pensioners.”

He concluded by saying that the fuel crisis is an issue that the Government will be focusing on when it comes to Budget 2027.

The following day, Deputy Callaghan also raised the issue with the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary.

She stated: “I absolutely welcome all the measures he outlined that were contained in budget 2026 and that had a good impact on the State pension and those in receipt of it.

“However, what I really need to stress is that we are not living in ordinary times. There is a war raging in the Middle East. It is affecting everyone across Europe and in Ireland.

“There is no end in sight. What I am hearing from State pensioners in Carlow and Kilkenny is their worry and anxiety about what the winter is going to bring and how they are going to manage.”

Deputy Callaghan asked Minister Calleary what measures the Department of Social Protection is going to take to aid pensioners.

“We are all aware that people who are in receipt of the State pension, be it contributory or non-contributory in nature, have contributed to this country.

“They paid into the pot in the hope that they would be able to sustain themselves in their latter years, not in the context of living any kind of extravagant lifestyle but just so they would not have to worry about paying household bills and everyday expenses.

“If it is not going to be possible to increase the pension, what will it be possible for the Department to do?”

In response, Minister Calleary said that he is aware of the pressures facing pensioners when it comes to the price of fuel.

He stated: “I am not saying that it is not going to be possible to do anything. We are obviously not in the budget situation yet, but I am very aware of the pressures people are under and that those pressures will increase during the winter.

“That is why, in the context of our initial €750 million response, we have made it clear that we may have to produce further responses.

“However, it is important that we give ourselves the ability to be in a position to respond, and do so quickly, if this energy crisis continues through the winter.”

He went on to highlight the fuel allowance and living alone allowance, which are available to some pensioners.

“I had a very good discussion with Deputy Colm Burke earlier around the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance.

“I am going to be particularly focused on the living alone allowance because, for many older people who are left alone by being widowed or through separation, their expenses and the cost of running large houses remain but their income has been halved.

“I am going to be very focused on the living alone allowance as well as looking at how we continue to use the fuel allowance in a targeted manner to support those most at risk of energy poverty, which includes our pensioners.”

In response, Deputy Callaghan welcomed the focus on the fuel allowance but questioned whether it will be beneficial enough given the current crisis.

“It is a very good scheme but is not agile enough to cope with the increases that are going to happen.

“It (the war in Iran) will no doubt continue into the winter and it might still be with us this time next year.

“That is what I understand and feel, and our State pensioners are feeling that too. They would like more communication and a chance to know what measures might be possible to alleviate the worry and anxiety they are feeling.”

She concluded by saying that whilst she appreciates the work that Minister Calleary is doing, she would like to see more communication with the older generation.