Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said she is "absolutely confident" that core social welfare rates will be protected in the budget.

Speaking yesterday after an Age Action conference in Dublin, Ms Burton said older people had frequently asked her if their travel passes and pension rates would be maintained.

Ms Burton said no discussions had been concluded on where savings would come from and that more serious deliberations would begin after exchequer figures for September are released next week.

She said she was “absolutely confident that we will be fully able to maintain our commitment to protecting the core weekly rates”.

“That is the standard weekly payment that people receive who rely on a social welfare income and in the case of the pension that is the standard weekly retirement contributory and non-contributory payment,” she added.

A Government spokesman said no decisions relating to the budget would be announced until it is delivered on October 15th.