Campaign

(16 November 2021) Today on International Tolerance Day, Age Action, as a member of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, joined 19 other organisations, academics and individuals representing communities commonly targeted by hate crime and discrimination have called on the government to enact promised legislation against hate and to make ending hate crimes a national priority.  The Oireachtas Justice Committee will hear from several of these organisations at its first hearing on the Hate Crime Bill on Wednesday. 

Hate crimes are existing crimes motivated by hatred against people because of their actual or perceived membership of a particular group. They are message crimes, intended to frighten, intimidate and silence entire communities. Society as a whole suffers as a result, yet Ireland has no laws to protect our communities from these crimes. 

(12 October 2021) Reacting to Budget 2022, Age Action welcomes the Government’s recognition that older people have been left behind for three years while the cost of living has gone up, but €5 on the State Pension will replace less than half of the €10.24 that the State Pension has lost in purchasing power since January 2019. The increase of €3 in the Living Alone allowance is welcome as it will assist the 4 in 10 older people who live alone.

(11 October 2021) When the rising cost of goods and services is taken into account, the State Pension is worth €542 per year less at the end of 2021 compared to January 2019*. In January 2019, the rate of the State Pension was €248.30. This has not changed since, while the Consumer Price Index has risen by 4.3% due to increases in the cost of goods and services to consumers. In advance of Budget 2022, Age Action has reiterated its call for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to the State Pension in Budget 2022 by increasing the rate by €15 plus a proportionate increase in income thresholds used for eligibility for the Medical Card and other means-tested services. 

(8 October 2021) In an initial reaction to the report of the Pensions Commission published on 07 October, Age Action has said that Government decisions – starting from Budget 2022 next Tuesday – will determine the adequacy of the State Pension as a foundation for a secure retirement for the majority of Irish people in future years.

(Monday 27 September) is the start of Positive Ageing Week 2021 which is themed Reconnecting Our Communities by Reframing Ageing to challenge negative stereotypes of ageing and older people. 

The portrayal of older people as vulnerable, frail, in need of care and protection that characterised public discourse during COVID-19 reflected negative stereotypes we hold about older people.

In response to the announcement of a 10 to 12 percentage increase in household energy prices by Bord Gáis today, Age Action is reiterating its call on the Government to expand the eligibility criteria for the Fuel Allowance and to increase the number of weeks of the year it covers from 28 to 32 to protect people from potential fuel poverty.

(Tuesday 21 Sept 2021) Age Action and innocent drinks today launched the 2021/22 Big Knit, calling on knitters and crocheters to knit their communities back together by creating little hats with family and friends, of all ages, to raise funds for Age Action by Summer 2022.

(13 September 2021) Age Action today launched its submission to Government in advance of Budget 2022, alongside the findings of a survey of older people’s views on the budget.

93.7% of respondents to Age Action’s Pre-Budget 2022 survey said that there should be in increase in the State Pension. 53.7% of older persons said they found it difficult to access services or activities that were only available online, and 54.3% had medical appointments for non-COVID issues cancelled or postponed.

(10 September 2021) 

STOP67 to continue campaign against rise in pension age following Pensions Commission recommendation

The STOP67 coalition has said it will continue to campaign against an increase in the State pension age, notwithstanding any decision by the Pensions Commission to recommend its deferral until 2028.