Press Release

Age Action today launched a booklet on the lived experience of growing older in Ireland which highlights the wide ranging impact which austerity is having on older people.

Age Action has given a guarded welcome to Budget 2015, noting that some measures announced today will ease a little of the hardship being experienced by groups of older people who have been struggling to cope in the wake of a series of austerity budgets.

Age Action today urged the Government to take meaningful steps in the forthcoming Budget to assist older people who are struggling as a result of the cumulative effect of recent austerity budgets.

Ireland’s largest celebration of positive ageing commences tomorrow (October 1) when hundreds of events - from tea parties and social outings, to concerts and cultural events - take place to mark Age Action’s Positive Ageing Week.

Age Action is concerned about the delay in the introduction of Universal Health Care, while it welcomes the commitment by the Minister of Health Leo Varadkar TD to universal access to GP services. 

Age Action has urged the general public to check on older neighbours, especially those living alone, during the current warm weather, with Met Eireann forecasting temperatures of 26 or 27 degrees today and over the coming days.

Age  Action has warmly welcomed the Government’s commitment to protect the Travel Pass scheme for older people, and the inclusion of this commitment  in its statement of priorities for the remaining three years of the current  administration.

Age Action today urged the government to amend the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 in order for it to recognise older people’s rights to liberty and security.  The call comes as Ireland undergoes its fourth examination under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today.

Age Action has urged the Government to provide increased funding in this year’s Budget for essential supports for older people who are struggling in the wake of a series of austerity budgets.

Age Action today  urged the Government not to proceed with planned changes to the Travel Pass for older people, warning that any negative changes to the scheme would be vehemently opposed by older people.