Fine Gael will make a slew of promises to lure the powerful “grey vote” in its upcoming election manifesto, including extending free TV licences and payments for heating bills.
Simon Harris will announce a commitment to extend the household benefits package (HBP) as part of a second term in the Taoiseach’s office.
The package pays €35 per month for utility bills to people from 70 and includes a free TV licence. Fine Gael is to unveil an “older persons’ guarantee” on Sunday in its manifesto, with the party already committing to raise the State pension to €350 per week over the course of the next government’s term.
Fine Gael will also promise to lower the eligibility for the package to 66.
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Fianna Fáil has already announced plans to raise the State pension to “at least” €350 per week, maintain the retirement age at 66, increase the living alone allowance and abolish the means test for the carer’s allowance.
People aged under 70 can get the HBP if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or satisfy a means test, or certain other conditions.
Fine Gael’s spending commitments in recent days include pledges to remove college fees and scrap the means test for the carer’s benefit – first increasing the amount people can earn without losing access to the payment.
It comes as Irish Times polling indicates voters are preoccupied with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with some 30 per cent of those polled indicating it would be their foremost concern when going to the polls on November 29th – more than any other issue.
Mr Harris is also expected to signal his intention to increase the living alone allowance, currently paid at €22 per week. A Fine Gael source outlined that the moves were being planned as part of an effort to support pensioners with the cost of living.
It comes as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil became embroiled in an escalating row over law and order, following a claim by Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan that Fine Gael made “no progress” in the area during its 14 years in power.
Mr O’Callaghan said a list of initiatives that had originated with him had been taken on board by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, including proposals for garda recruitment and the new legislation on knife crime.
On Friday, Ms McEntee countered: “There are probably women all over the country who will understand it when men try to claim credit for their work.”
At the Fianna Fáil conference Mr O’Callaghan said he did not want to personalise the attacks on Ms McEntee but argued that it was one area of government where no progress had been made despite Fine Gael having control of the Department of Justice over 14 years.
Referring to his own party, he said: “I believe we would have seen greater progress in the area of justice, and I think that’s part of the reason why ... that’s one of the portfolios we would be interested in pursuing [if elected to Government].”
He added: “I’m not going to personalise it to Ms McEntee but I do think there is a benefit to have the Department of Justice under new political control and direction as it really needs a new energy within that department.”
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