ALONE’s submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development
This document sets out ALONE’s Pre-Budget 2027 recommendations for consideration as part of the Committee’s examination of Budget 2027 priorities, focusing on improving income adequacy and supports for older people, particularly those living alone. Drawing on direct work with more than 46,500 older people in 2025, alongside national data and findings from the annual Cost-of-Living Survey, the submission presents evidence on poverty, financial insecurity, and barriers to accessing essential supports, and outlines targeted social protection measures and reforms to simplify access to entitlements.
Ireland’s population is ageing rapidly, and too many older people, particularly those living alone, are experiencing poverty, financial insecurity, and barriers to accessing essential supports. Older people living alone face poverty rates twice the national average, with 30% experiencing income poverty and 10% in consistent poverty in 2025. Even with full State support, an older person living alone still falls below the poverty line. Poverty is associated with deprivation, social exclusion, and poor health outcomes.
The evidence demonstrates that targeted measures would lift more than 60,800 older people living alone out of income poverty and prevent a further 22,000 from entering poverty, while supporting commitments under the National Positive Ageing Strategy and wider social inclusion objectives.
This submission was sent to the Joint Committee on Social Protection Rural and Community Development on the 15th of June 2026.
