Cork councillor calls for gender equality for those over 80 in Budget

A CORK county councillor is on a mission to restore gender equality among the older population with calls for pension reform in Budget 2024.

Pensions are set to increase in the budget through a bonus payment. 

This, along with the fuel allowance will result in benefits of more than €300 from next year. 

However, Independent councillor Ben Dalton O’Sullivan who serves the Carrigaline Municipal District, feels the measures do not go far enough to recognise older women who spent most of their lives working in the home.

The politician put forward a motion at a recent meeting of county councillors seeking changes to the current system.

“I am looking to write to the minister for finance and the minister for public expenditure to ask them to give full equality to all those over 80 with regards to the over 80s pension increase in October”, he said. 

“At the moment, the budget is disproportionately affecting female pensioners and woman who worked in the home long ago. There is a scheme where if a pensioner turns 80 they get an extra €10 in their pensions. 

"When you view the case of a woman, particularly one who worked in the home, they are often down as a dependent on their husband’s contributory pension. Under this current scheme this spouse - even though she turned 80- won’t get the €10 increase because she hasn’t paid stamps”.

He said that while the increase would be small it would be a step towards recognising women who worked hard all their lives to raise families.

“It is a small amount that will buy them their newspaper during the week or a few bits for the house. if we’re honest about women’s equality in this country that should extend to people over the age of 80 as well. It’s a small amount and it should be a blanket increase as opposed to for people who only get stamps”.

Mr O’Sullivan’s colleagues supported the motion. Confirmations are yet to be made with regard to Budget 2024 proposals. However, it is believed that pensions may be increased by way of a bonus payment rather than increasing the rate.