04.03.2010 e-metroherald.ie Gaelgoirs go gaga: An airborne Darach Mac Mathuna, with Luan Parle, Coronas singer Danny OReilly, TVs Aoibhinn N Shilleabhin and Blthnaid N Dhonnchadha help jumpstart celebrations for Seachtain na Gaeilge, an annual festival promoting the use of Irish language at home and abroad. Events take place in the run-up to St Patricks Day. For more info log on to snag.ie Picture: Photocall EVERYONE under the age of 50 will now have to work an extra three years before retiring, the Government an- nounced yesterday. In an overhaul of the State pension, the qualifying age will rise to 66 in 2014, 67 in 2021 and finally 68 in 2028. Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin insisted the move was neces- sary because people were living longer and healthier lives. It is simply not sustainable that we can afford a pension system based on the current model which allows people to spend almost as long in retirement as they do in the workforce, she said. Under the plans, the Government will bring in a new publicly-run pen- sion scheme for workers who are not covered by a private work pension, es- timated to be half the workforce. Anyone over 22 will be automati- cally enrolled and will pay four per cent in extra contributions through their PRSI, matched by both their em- ployer and the State. Ms Hanafin also signalled changes to pension calcula- tions. Benefits will be based on PRSI contributions over a persons life, with 30 years of contributions re- quired for a full pension. The move will also give credits to women who are currently penalised for time taken caring for children. By Brian Hutton Plan to make you work til youre 68 Greece is in a state of war and fighting for its survival, its prime minister said yesterday. George Papandreous government is to slash 4.8billion from public spending, cut bonuses for civil servants and increase VAT to 21 per cent P10 news Greece cuts 4bn in debt war More than 28,000 homeowners are three months behind with mortgage repayments, official figures revealed yesterday. The Financial Regulator said lenders issued warnings to 5,096 households as they sought to recover debts of about 70million P5 news Mortgage arrears growing Aussie Rules agent Ricky Nixon claims Dublin boss Pat Gilroy was left with egg on his face after threatening four footballers with the axe if they attended yesterdays Gormanston scouting camp P28 sPORT Dubs boss ban on AFL camp Metro Heralds property section explores the world of apartment living, from how to make the most of your space, to growing vegetables on your balcony, to getting rid of all that clutter P20-24 PROPeRTy Living in a world apart Paul McCartney will be returning to Dublin after a sell-out show in the O2 before Christmas. We have tickets up for grabs to see the Beatles legend perform at the RDS as part of his Up And Coming tour P14 hOT TickeTs See Macca for free Dub Duck turns up P3 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html