Press Release

(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%.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Spring Raffle and to all those who supported this year’s campaign. We are so grateful to the many hundreds of people who support us and with your help we raised valuable funds for our advocacy and programmes work with older people.

1st

J Doran
Co Dublin

2nd         

J O'Sullivan
Co Cork

3rd

I Coghlan
Co Dublin

Sellers Prize

U Smiley
Co Dublin

Thank you to all who supported the raffle, this is one of our biggest and most reliable fundraisers, so your support makes all the difference

(2 March 2021) 

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said the pandemic has shown that older people living in residential care are not getting the protection and care they need. And it’s clear that there are problems in other residential settings, such as Direct Provision, as well.

ICCL, Age Action and Sage Advocacy believe the solution to this is independent, human rights-focused inspections. The government is talking about such a system, but it’s essential that residential institutions and care homes are included. Ireland’s sad history in this regard shows us why this is so important.

(10 February) Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people is calling for the Government to review the use of vaccines for people over the age of 70 following the recommendation of WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in people over the age of 18 without an upper age limit.

(Monday 8 February 2021) Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people responds to the announcement by Minister Humphrey’s of the Benefit Payment for Over 65 Year Olds.

 Paddy Connolly, CEO Age Action said ‘A year to the day since people went to the polls, the Government has attempted and failed to address a key election issue with the design of the Benefit Payment for Over 65 Year Olds.

While it is welcome that people forced to retire at 65 because of mandatory retirement clauses don’t have to sign on the dole now to get a needed social welfare payment, they are still expected to make do with approximately €2300 per year less than the State pension. This piecemeal approach to pension reform continues to drive inequality experienced by older people in retirement. The correct response from Government would have been to address the issue of mandatory retirement clauses and deliver an adequate social safety net in retirement.’

ENDS

‘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.