A protest will take place outside the Dail later calling on the government not to touch the State pension or any benefits for older people in the December budget.

The rally is being organised by the trade union SIPTU.

They say the majority of retired people depend on the State pension to keep them out of poverty and that any cut to its levels would have a devastating impact on older peoples’ lives.

Means testing

There is speculation the government may cut or means test some pensioners’ benefits in The Budget such as free travel and free TV licences.

Tim O’Reagan is a member of SIPTU.

He says older people have already paid for these things in the past.