Press Release

‘Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You’ Message Open to Exploitation

Urgent Need for Clarity on Vaccination Pathway for Older People and Vulnerable Adults

(9 December 2020) The STOP67 campaign has welcomed the removal of the pension age increase to 67 years on 1st January next in the Social Welfare Bill which will be debated in the Dáil today (9th December, 2020). 

The campaign, which helped to make the pension age increase a controversial and dominant issue during the general election in February 2020, includes the National Women’s Council (NWC), Age Action, Active Retirement Ireland and SIPTU. 

Today, Tuesday, 8th December 2020, the HSE and Age Action Ireland are launching an older-age friendly guide – How to Use the COVID Tracker App. The guide is part of Age Action Ireland’s Getting Started KIT which supports learning and the use of technology and digital services.

Age Action Ireland worked with the HSE to develop this resource specifically for older people who need some help with online activities so they can use the App as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(13 November 2020) The STOP67 Coalition has expressed its disappointment at the failure of the Government to appoint sufficient members to the Pensions Commission who reflect the interests of those most affected by the proposed pension age increase and, in particular, organisations representing women and older people. The Coalition includes the National Women’s Council (NWC), SIPTU, Age Action and Active Retirement Ireland.

In a letter to An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, the Coalition said it was “shocked and surprised” that the Commission does not include the representatives of so many of those directly affected by the proposed pension age increase. This followed the announcement by the Government of the members of the Commission, which is due to assess whether the pension age should be increased to 67 years and to set out a future plan for the pension system.

Thank you all for your patience during the last number of weeks and for your understanding that due to the COVID-19 crisis we were not in a position to hold the Positive Ageing Week Raffle. Today, we were finally able to do the draw and we list below the lucky winners.

We wish the winners well and trust they will have a happy time spending their winnings. It certainly brightened up their day when we told them earlier. Thanks again to all those who entered as all proceeds from the raffle will help us to continue to provide much needed services to older people over the coming months.

Keep safe and well.

1st Prize - €1500 -  V. McGowne.  Dublin.

2nd Prize - €1000 – A. Smyth.  Dublin.

3rd Prize - €500 – B. O’Brien.  Cork.

Sellers Prize - €100 – M. Moran.  Kerry.

(13 October 2020) 

AGE ACTION CRITICISES GOVERNMENT FOR FAILURE TO PROTECT OLDER PEOPLE WITH BUDGET 2021

Just Transition undermined with lack of financial support for majority of older people to deal with Carbon Tax

Age Action has said that the Government’s Budget 2021 choices did not include measures to protect the majority of older people on a fixed income from the rising cost of energy.

(11 October 2020)  State must intervene directly in ‘dysfunctional housing market’, says letter to Housing Minister

Age Action joined with trade unions, housing bodies, political parties, women’s organisations, students' unions and civil society groups to jointly call on Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to ensure Budget 2021 makes “a clear and decisive break” with the failed policies of the past and for the State to “intervene directly in our dysfunctional housing market.”

The joint call is made in a letter to Minister O’Brien from the Raise the Roof housing campaign ahead of Budget day, on October 13: 

(09 October 2020) Age Action welcomes the recommendation of the Oireachtas Special Committee on COVID-19 Response that a public inquiry be established to investigate and report on all circumstances relating to each individual death from Covid-19 in nursing homes.

(09 October 2020) The STOP67 campaign is calling for legislation introduced in 2011, allowing for the increase in the pension age to 67 to be removed immediately from the statute books.

Age Action has described the report of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel published today as underwhelming in its reforming zeal and has called on the Minister for Health to urgently establish a Commission on Care.