The recent budget decision not to increase the State pension has met with widespread reaction.

The Government also decided in Budget 2021 not to raise the State pension age to 67 next January as had been envisaged.

Michael McGrath, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, said in his budget speech that a Pensions Commission will be established and that the Government would consider the commission's report in due course.

Dublin pensioner Don Johnson commented that the only welcome announcement for senior citizens in the budget is the 5 million additional homecare hours on top of the 19 million from 2020.

“We need to keep our independence to some degree,” Mr Johnson (68) said. “But there are some disappointments in the budget and that’s the increase in the utility bills which is a heavy burden to carry and it will have a big impact on us.

“There will be a big increase in the energy use as there is talk about a bad winter coming and because of the virus you can’t go out, you have to stay in more.”

The budget also saw increases to the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance which are set to benefit older people.

However, Mr Johnson said that a number of elderly people are concerned about the increase in heating bills as pensioners are spending a lot more time at home. “Trying to keep your home heated is always a problem. You do your exercises to keep the body in shape but in winter it can be hard on people.

“It’s also disappointing there is no rise in the State pension because these days every penny counts.

“Food, clothing and shelter are essential and you are trying to keep everything together and if you don’t have that, you are in serious trouble.

“That’s why organisations like Alone are great, I can’t say enough great things about them.” – PA