Press Release

(01 October 2021) 65% of People Over the Age of 65 Experience Digital Exclusion in Ireland

At least 466,000 people over the age of 65 experience digital exclusion in Ireland, meaning that they are not using the internet or they lack the digital devices or necessary skills to navigate the internet safely, and therefore are limited in their ability to access public services online. Digital exclusion restricts people’s access to their rights and affects their quality of life. Age Action released their report, Digital Inclusion and Ageing Population, to coincide with United Nations International Day of Older Persons on 1 October which is highlighting Digital Equity for All Ages.

(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.

(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.

(09 September 2021) Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation on ageing and older people, says that the leaked proposal of the Pensions Commission to raise the pension age to 68 by 2039, and 67 by 2031, will not fix Ireland’s ailing retirement system.

(25 July 2021) The Raise the Roof housing campaign group, which includes Age Action,  has called for urgent Government action to address the deepening housing crisis, which has seen the vast majority of low and average income workers and families ‘priced out’ of the housing market due to the lack of affordable homes to purchase or rent. 

(Wednesday 14 July) As the Pre-Budget Forum is hosted by the Department of Social Protection on Wednesday 14 July,  Age Action is calling for the Government to protect older people from falling into poverty with an increase in the State Pension of €15 per week  and a comprehensive study on the cost of ageing to inform future policy.

(Friday 9 July) Age Action has raised the concerns of people aged 60-69 about the vaccination process in place for them with public representatives including the Minister for Health who we have asked to provide clarity on the most efficacious vaccination process for this group and a direct response to concerns about potential discrimination or undermining of equality of outcomes for older people.

(15 June 2021) To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2021, June 15th, Age Action reports that their Information Service dealt with 98 contacts from people concerned about elder abuse in 2020 compared to 71 contacts in 2019 – an increase of 38%.