Madam, – Dan O’Brien, Economics Editor, makes sweeping allegations about pensioners (Opinion, July 15th): “pension increases have been very large”, “the cost of living has fallen”, etc. Does he live in the real world that pensioners inhabit?
Today I received my pension, the princely sum of €226.70.
Out of that I have to pay rent of €25, bin tag at €6, my food bill costs €70 a week and toiletries are expensive. Clothing costs money too. I pay the same price for a loaf of bread that a millionaire pays. These are only the essentials.
I might have a free travel pass, but the cost of a day out in Dublin is prohibitive. What about a holiday? Pensioners don’t take them, as it would involve saving €10 a week for two years.
When Mr O'Brien gets his way I will have to forfeit my daily luxury – a copy of The Irish Times.
– Yours, etc,