Press Release

A doubling of the level of carbon tax on solid fuels from tomorrow  (May 1) will create added hardship for older people who are already struggling to heat their homes to a safe level, Age Action has warned.

Age Action has expressed concern at the serious understaffing at a Sligo community hospital, cited in court as a contributory factor in the assault in which a nurse taped the mouth of a resident.

Age Action is concerned by media reports today that Irish Water is seeking the introduction of a standing charge – higher than the international average – for water services as part of the payment model due to be introduced next year.

Age Action has called on the Minister for Health and the National Treatment Purchase Fund to urgently clarify what cuts are being made to payments to nursing homes under the Nursing Home Support Scheme, and if home owners are being encouraged by Fund officials to pass these cuts on to their nursing home residents.

Age Action has welcomed confirmation by the HSE this evening that nursing home residents and patients of public psychiatric facilities in the Midlands will not be affected by the HSE’s smoke free campus policy which came commenced today.

Age Action has urged the HSE to reverse its decision to introduce a smoke free campus policy to all public nursing homes and psychiatric facilities in the Midlands.

Age Action today urged the public to “sham-rock” this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations by supporting their “Made with Love” knitted shamrock campaign.

Age Action is encouraging older people to make it a New Year’s resolution to sign up to one of their specially designed computer training courses, and so embrace all the opportunities which technology offers.

Age Action is concerned at the changes to the housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability, which it believes will hit those on lowest incomes the hardest.

Age Action is concerned but not surprised by today’s CSO report which shows marked rises in poverty among older people and a fall in their average income between 2009 and 2011.