New figures show almost 2,500 people aged 65 are now on the dole.

The charity Age Action has released the figures it received from the Department of Social Protection.

Figures also show there is around 450 people aged 64 in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit.

Justin Moran, is the Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action and says we need to take note of the facts: “People are living longer and healthier and more active lives.

“And that is why this needs to be seen in the context of what we can do to support older workers who want to keep working and many of them do.

“When Britain abolished mandatory retirement in 2011 they surveyed workers and asked them why would you want to keep working past retirement age, the most common answer and reply was mostly financial but directly behind it was social interaction.”