Ireland’s rate of 26.3 per cent was the seventh highest among the 27 EU member states and twice the EU average.

Pension experts at the National Pension Helpline have revealed the amount you need to save each month, according to your age, to retire with seven figures at the age of 65.

The biggest budget in the history of the State has been unveiled, the last before an upcoming General Election.

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty criticised the decision to increase the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT).

auto enrolment would mean that for every €3 a worker puts towards their pension, their employer would also put €3 into the pension plan and the State would add a further euro.

Maureen Kavanagh said it was a move to bridge the gap that exists between mandatory compulsory retirement faced by many in the private sector and the fact that the State pension commences at 66.

The maximum state pension is currently €277.30 a week for those aged 66 to 79 or €287.30 a week for those aged 80 or older.

The Court found that s. 124 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 is invalid having regard to the provisions of Article 40.1 of the Constitution.

Introducing the measure, Heather Humphreys said the new arrangements will allow people to work longer in return for higher payments.

Patrick McNamee (42) admitted stealing €200 in what the judge said was a 'particularly callous, targeted and deliberate' offence