Pensioners will see their heating bills reduced by €420 per year, under plans to be announced today by Fine Gael.
Such a move will benefit tens of thousands of additional pensioners.
The proposal is part of what Taoiseach Simon Harris will call its ‘Older Persons’ Guarantee’ and will be a cornerstone of Fine Gael’s manifesto.
The party will commit to lowering the eligibility for the Household Benefits Package from 70 to 66.
It reduces older people’ electricity and gas bills by €35 a month and also includes a free TV license.
The announcement will be made in Kerry today, where the Taoiseach is canvassing with the party’s candidate Billy O’Shea.
In a further boost to pensioners, the Taoiseach will today announce his intention to progressively increase the Living Alone Allowance which is currently paid at €22 per week.
Reporting by Cliona O’Dwyer.
