There are calls for the government to raise the over 65s state pension by €5.

Age Action Ireland says it should be top of the agenda in this year’s budget.

To keep pensioners out of poverty, the organisation also says an additional €73.8m should be put into home help.

Spokesperson Justin Moran says senior citizens deserve more: “And a second major priority for us is going to be investment in community care, we have far too many people who are unable to get the home help services they need, the homecare packages they need, and they are essential to enable older people to remain living at home with dignity and independence.

“So we are looking for substantial investment in that area too.”