Press Release

Age Action has accused Bank of Ireland of ignoring the needs of its older customers following proposals to restrict cash withdrawals and lodgements in its branches.

Margaret Mullett, a retired science and chemistry teacher in her early seventies from Rathgar, Dublin, is this year’s overall winner of the Silver Surfer Awards 2015.

Age Action has reacted to today’s budget announcement, welcoming the first increase in the State Pension in seven years and increases in other income supports. But the organisation also highlighted the lack of progress on home supports and the failure to cut prescription charges.

Older people in Galway have criticised lengthy waiting times and high parking costs in a survey of their experiences in local hospitals published by Age Action today who called on hospitals to end the block-booking of appointments.

Age Action called for better training and effective workplace equality policies in residential care homes for older people, as it published a new report on migrant care workers today.

Age Action has called for continued Government investment in computer training for older people as a new Eurostat report, published today, shows older people in Ireland lagging behind their EU counterparts.

While Age Action welcomed this morning’s commitment from Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to partially restore the Christmas bonus, the organisation warned that it falls far short of what is needed to restore the incomes of Ireland’s older people.

Ireland rose two places to 15th in the annual Global AgeWatch Index, published this morning by HelpAge International, despite the country’s overall score dropping slightly.

Age Action has responded to media reports this morning that State transport providers are seeking restrictions on the operation of the free travel scheme.

The government must act now to show commitment to older people in public nursing homes and prevent the looming crisis in long term care of older people.