News
ANOTHER STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
All too often, we advocate and work to achieve change but fear that our campaigning falls on deaf ears. For the past fifteen years, many of our members from the Retired Staff of the Aviation Association; ESB; National Pensions Federation and RTE to name a few, have worked tirelessly to ensure retired workers have a voice when their pension income is being impacted.
We are delighted to say the proposed Bill to ensure this will become a reality, was moved in the DAIL last week on the 23rd October by Brid Smith PBP. It was witnessed in the Gallery by the representatives who have never given up. The DAIL moved to accept the Bill go to third stage or Committee Stage. The group were pleased their efforts were acknowledged as Brid Smith referred to their presence in the DAIL and they received a wave from the Taoiseach Simon Harris.
There is still a long way to go but we are one step nearer.
GREY VOTE
Interesting to listen to the report on Morning Ireland RTE Mon 4th Nov about politicians targeting the so called ‘Grey vote’. Both FG & FF offering an increase in the State Pension with one promising a continued increase of €12.00 & the other saying it is seeking to bring the Pension to €350.00.
What’s interesting, about this to the ISCP, is the reality of the last Budget and the opportunity for both of these parties to link the State Pension to 34% of the Industrial wage. This would remove the need for ‘election style’ promises that may or may not be realised.
It was this outgoing government that committed to implementing the 34% increase. Had they delivered on this key action, it would have shown a commitment to ensure the state pension offers ongoing security for older people. An income that allows for financial planning based on guaranteed percentage increases. This removes the pension payment from being used as a political football to garner the ‘grey vote’. It places the pension as part of a thought out policy for ageing and older people.
Remind the politicians when they come calling that this is the least older people deserve; a steady secure and adequate pension.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament together with Age Action are organising Hustings around the country. We believe that gathering together and engaging with your local politicians to have your voice heard firsthand is an opportunity that we rarely have. We believe it is an opportunity, not only to emphasize the issues but also to highlight that older people are very much active contributors to society.
We held our first meeting in Multyfarnham Co Westmeath, and both the politicians and members who attended were very pleased with the discussions and engagement. The issues were wide and varied but key among them was ‘the pension’ the lived experience of carers and rural transport.
We thank the Retired Nurses Association and the BMB ARA for all their support.
NEXT EVENT
We are holding our next event in Waterford and we thank the ESB Retired Staff Association (South East) for their support for this event. We hope to see you all at the event and by your attendance you are helping us send the message to politicians that we are
RETIRED WORKERS NOT RETIRED VOTERS
VENUE: Doorleys Hotel, The Quay Waterford
DATE: 24TH OCTOBER 2024
TIME: REGISTRATION TEA & COFFEE @ 10.00/10.15
FURTHER DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED.
THANK YOU
We are delighted to offer our sincere thanks to all our members who campaigned through letter writing, calling into their TD’s clinics and attending our rallies outside the DAIL. This hard work was to fight for for the right of older retired people to have a say, relating to their Occupational/Private Pension. This is linked to the proposed Industrial Relations Bill.
This morning (16th Oct) the Joint Committee Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment has determined that the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 should proceed to Committee stage. (Third Stage)
While we have a some way to go to have the proposed Bill enacted, and I am sure we can count on your ongoing support, it is thanks to the hard work of all involved that we are at this point. The representatives from the member organisations, have been tireless in their research and work to ensure we gave as complete a picture as possible, of the impact of having NO VOICE and how this proposed Bill will make life better for retired workers.
We thank the Joint Committee members for their time, energy and diligence in their work to date. Their engagement with us was respectful, their question were well researched and they listened to the input of the member representatives and in some cases followed up for greater clarity. Last but not least we thank Deputy Brid Smith who after hearing of the many many years of campaigning of retired workers, went away and with her colleague developed this Bill and proposed it as a Private Members Bill.