News
THE RIGHT TO REDRESS
The Industrial Relations Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers Bill was introduced in the Dail recently (by Brid Smith TD) and will be debated in the next few months. The Bill seeks to grant greater representative rights for retired workers around proposed changes to their occupational pension schemes.
For many years, the ISCP has sought to have the right of redress in relation to Pension Rights introduced, since the passing of the Social Welfare & Pensions Bill (no. 2) in 2013. As a result of the passage of that Act, Pensioners in reciept of Occupational pension have had their pension payments reduced. Discussions around pension schemes between other parties have happened but retired people have been either unaware of these discussion or excluded from any VOICE in them. Pensioners must, as of right, be given a real and meaningful input into all the processes relevant to the running and management of their schemes. This is what equality and inclusion of Older People is in practice.
We are asking members and non members alike to contact their TD’s (regardless of party) and encourage them to support this Bill through its stages in the Dail. if you wish to receive a Template letter send to all TDs in your area, please contact office@seniors.ie or text/phone 0838612179. If you have any questions or want further information on this Bill or the template letter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
FUN and FITNESS SPONSORED WALK
Going for a walk helps you feel good in yourself and improves your fitness. It is also good to know you are supporting your organisation through these tough times’, John Walsh (President) tells Sue Shaw CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, as they launch their Sponsored Walk to raise funds.
ISCP like all organisations has suffered the loss of fundraising throughout the Pandemic. We are asking members, family, friends and indeed anyone who would like to support us to walk a minimum of 10 km over the month of April. We know many of our members like Mary from Naas will do 10 km in one day but for many others it can be 1km every other day. That way you will build up your fitness and sure if you want to do more, we will not complain! explains Sue Shaw CEO.
We thought that linking our fundraising to a fitness programme would offers benefits to the health of our members and support the financial health of organisation.
Our members and indeed most older people have observed the restrictions imposed throughout all levels and we know they are looking forward to getting out a little more, thanks to the Vaccine programme and the lifting of the 5km restriction.
ISCP rely on our fundraising events to support much of our work. Many older members are not as familiar with Internet use and assessing web sites, for information particularly in relation to Covid. We use the postal system a lot but this has increased considerably throughout the last 15 months and we have added in teleconferencing to maintain contact, hold group meetings and provide information now that in person meetings are no longer possible.
If you would like to walk for us or sponsor a walker, all Sponsorship, small or large is welcomed.
Please contact 083 8612179 or email office@seniors.ie
Welcome to Sue Shaw, our new CEO
‘I am delighted as President to welcome Sue Shaw as our CEO’, says John Walsh, speaking at January’s Executive meeting of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament. (ISCP)
Sue Shaw has over 20 years’ experience in the community development and voluntary sectors working at local regional and national level. Eight of those years have been working within the Age sector supporting the rights of older people. Sue also brings her experience of leading senior teams who, working within the Community Development and Family Resource Centre programmes supported the establishment of local community projects across the North East region.
Sue holds a degree in Youth & Community Work and a MA in Applied Social Studies.
Speaking on her appointment, ‘I have enjoyed spending the first month as CEO listening to our members on where they see our future, working with the new Board members and Executive as we determine how best we deliver on this, while ensuring we work within the restrictions of Covid.
Speaking of her commitment to the work of the ISCP, to ensure the voice of older people contributes to the making and shaping of policy for ageing. she says ‘For many older people, managing the ups and down of everyday life policy can seem removed or beyond our influence , but in reality it is policy that drives every aspect of our everyday life, from the cost of heating, groceries through to health services and pension provision. It is as much our right to drive these policies as it is our government. I look forward to continuing and expanding the voice and work of ISCP in this crucial area’.
Disappointment in ‘New’ Payment
Pension Rights
‘This is yet another example of a lack of planning and a lack of awareness of the reality of the cost of ageing, which unfortunately we have become used to with this government’ says Sue Shaw CEO of ISCP.
The Government this week, announced a ‘new payment’ for people who are compelled to retire at 65 years but cannot access their state pension until 66 years. This payment of €203 is €45 less than the State pension. The ISCP views this as a disjointed response to a situation that each of the Government partners has been aware of for some time now. Our ageing demographic is not a new phenomenon, so a response of this nature is disappointing at best. The state pension supports people to live just above the poverty line and the lack of any increase over the last two Government Budgets has resulted in many people managing on a payment that is inadequate.
To create a new payment which is €45 less than this, lends to the belief among many of our members and older people in general that this Government has no understanding of what it is to live on a basic payment and furthermore shows a total lack respect for older people who have worked all their lives and continue to be active contributors to their communities and to society in general.