Junior Minister, Martin Cullen, has criticised Fine Gael proposals which relate to provisions for older people.
Minister Cullen said that the proposals, published today, would pave the way for a new 30% tax rate and a higher retirement age, and that the policy was "specifically aimed at buying the grey vote".
He added that a series of Fine Gael policy launches over the past fortnight are already running at a total estimated cost of £1.25m to the Exchequer. Today's package would cost £400m per year.
Included in the measures are investment to promote active retirement and to help elderly people continue living independently.
The party proposes a £10.50 per week increase in the non-contributory pension, medical cards for everyone over 65 and improvements in the allowances for carers.
Fine Gael estimates that the programme will cost £428m by its fourth year and says that it will be funded by increased tax revenues generated by economic growth.
Party leader, Michael Noonan, said that the rest of the community owed a debt to older people, whose work had helped create our current prosperity. He said that this debt must be repaid.
