A public meeting in Galway yesterday heard calls for the Government to honour its commitment to a state pension rate of 34% of average earnings.

It is part of a nationwide campaign by a coalition of groups to raise awareness of pensioners struggling with the cost of living.

The Pension Promise Campaign is calling on the Government for "fair and flexible" pensions.

The five organisations involved are the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Age Action, SIPTU, Active Retirement Ireland and the National Women's Council.

Niamh Kavanagh from the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament they are focused on debate   about what the Government can do to help those experiencing what what’s termed 'pension poverty'."

The current weekly rate of the State pension is €265.30, accounting for 28% of average earnings.

The campaign says this falls €53 per week short of the Government's commitment of 34% (€318 per week) and fails to deliver on the Government’s promise to provide a basic level of pension adequacy.

The townhall meetings are taking place around the country to raise awareness and build support for the campaign.