Press Release

The crisis in Ireland’s home help services was the main topic for hundreds of Age Action members gathered in Croke Park today for the organisation’s 23rd Annual General Meeting.

Age Action has welcomed additional funding for home help services announced today by Minister for Health Simon Harris TD but the organisation warned that thousands of older people will still not get the support they need.

Age Action is marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) by launching a new animated video to warn older people and their families of the dangers of financial elder abuse. In the coming weeks the organisation will also distribute more than 20,000 information leaflets to community centres and retirement groups around Ireland. 

A new report launched this morning in Wynn’s Hotel, Dublin, exposes serious problems in Ireland’s home care services. The system is disorganised, fragmented and underfunded with social workers estimating more than half of the older people they work with could be at home instead of in long-term residential care if the appropriate services were available.

Age Action has described figures published by the CSO this afternoon that indicate pension coverage among workers has fallen to 47 per cent as ‘deeply worrying’. The organisation has called for a renewed emphasis from the Government on protecting the State Pension.

Age Action has expressed its disappointment at the measures relating to older people outlined in today’s Programme for Government. 

innocent Ireland today donated €20,000 to Age Action as part of their annual Big Knit campaign. The money raised will go a long way to helping older people stay safe and warm this coming winter. 

Age Action has expressed concern at a substantial rise in reports of abuse contained in this morning’s report from HIQA on its nursing home inspection service. 

Following reports that there is no funding for home care packages in many parts of Dublin, forcing older people to stay in hospitals, Age Action has said care supports must be on the agenda of talks around forming the next Government.

The second annual Monaghan U3A Walking Festival will take place on Thursday 14 April and Friday 15 of April. Monaghan U3A invites you and all visiting walkers to take a dander over their stony grey soil on this two-day walking festival, complete with historical tours and guided strolls.