You are here

October Budget must include measures to protect older people, Age Action tells Oireachtas Committee

Published 01/10/2014

SHARE THIS

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.

“Many older people are struggling to heat their homes, pay for their medications and adapt their homes so they can continue to live in them,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said. “The choices which older people are being forced to make – choosing between food, fuel and medication – are simply unacceptable.”

Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection, the older people’s charity outlined the results of research it carried out earlier this year with its members across Ireland to assess the impact which austerity measures were having.  “From people going to bed early and staying in bed longer in the morning in order to stay warm, to people cutting back on food, older people revealed how they were suffering in silence,” Mr Timmins said. 

On the one hand key income supports (such as the fuel allowance and the telephone allowance) have been cut or abolished in recent budgets, while on the other hand there have been increased demands in the form of taxes and charges (such as the property tax and prescription charges) on their fixed incomes.

Cuts to Medical Cards and health service budgets were having a disproportionate impact on the sickest and frailest of older people, Age Action told the meeting.  Almost 18,000 medical cards have been withdrawn in the last 12 months.  This year the HSE aims to provide 1.7 million few hours of home help, than they provided in 2010 – despite the growing needs of our ageing population.

Among the 36 recommendations in their pre-Budget submission, Age Action is calling for:

  • An increase the weekly rate of the State Pension by €5 per week
  • Restoration of the Christmas bonus
  • An increase the Living Alone Allowance by €3.80 in order to restore some real value to its purchasing power
  • Reversal of the fuel payment cuts and changes made in recent budgets.

“In recent budget submissions we have not sought increases in key income supports, but campaigned instead to protect existing payment rates,” Mr Timmins said. “However, having asked people about the reality of their lives, and understanding the unacceptable scale of suffering which people are enduring, it would be morally wrong of us not to demand that the Government acts to protect these people in the October budget.”

Age Action’s presentation coincided with the publication of the Global AgeWatch Index 2014 which shows that Ireland fell from 12th to 17th place last year. 

The index ranks 96 countries according to the social and economic wellbeing of older people.   The poll was topped by Norway with Afghanistan at the foot of the table. 

FOR MEDIA QUERIES CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION, 01-4756989 OR 0879682449.

Notes to the editor

  • Age Action’s full pre-Budget submission can be read at the link below:

SHARE THIS

Age Action Ireland to benefit from Gas Networks Ireland Survey

Gas Networks Ireland is raising money for Age Action. If you've recently called their contact centre or had work done by them, you might receive a text from Gas Networks asking for your feedback. For every response received, they'll donate €2 to Age Action. There is no obligation to participate.

How It Works - If you've had contact with Gas Networks Ireland service centre or had work carried out by them, you may receive a message from Marie Lyster, their Customer Experience Manager. This message is an invitation to share your feedback. 

By providing feedback – only if you choose to – you'll be supporting Age Action Ireland. For every piece of feedback received, Gas Networks Ireland will donate €2 to our organisation. This contribution can support our efforts to improve the lives of older people in Ireland.You won't be asked for any bank details or money. Gas Networks Ireland is handling all the donations.

If you would rather not get these texts, just let them know and you won’t be included.  If you are over 65yrs old, you can contact them directly on their Age-Friendly service.  See their contact details here.

For Corporate Clients- Please note that Gas Networks donate €50 for each qualitative interview their commercial customers take part in.

Details on Gas networks customer surveys is available here.

For more information about our work and other ways to get involved with Age Action, please click here.