News
Media Statement – Budget 2018
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP), representing 330 affiliated organisations, is calling for the delivery of election promises in Budget 2018. Tomorrow at the Department of Employment and Social Protection Pre-Budget Forum in Dublin Castle, we look forward to discussing with Minister Regina Doherty T.D the EXPECTATIONS of older people for BUDGET 2018
We seek in BUDGET 2018 the implementation of A Programme of Recovery for Older People 2018-2020.
We now need concrete proposals and timelines which will incrementally restore and improve the conditions, health and general wellbeing of all older people.
Our specific proposals, informed by input from members across Ireland, include the Restoration of Cuts and Benefits and an Agreed Timetable to achieve this over the next 2 years.
We have welcomed the gradual restoration of the State Pension, but now it is time to accelerate this process and that is why we are calling for a €6, across the board, increase to all State Pensions and the restoration of the Transition Pension, or, failing this, an increase in the Jobseeker’s Allowance for older workers.
The issue of the ‘older old’ is also vitally important, with increasing frailty and mobility issues leading to increased costs. We are asking for an increase of €6 to the State Pension for all older people aged over 80.
We also call for an end to the unfair system of denial of access for pensioners to the industrial machinery of the State to vindicate their rights with regard to occupational pensions and for the introduction of a Pension Protection Fund, similar to that which exists in the UK.
Máiréad Hayes
CEO
086 349 8848
Submit your views on Home Care
The Department of Health has launched a public consultation process on the future of Home Care in Ireland. It is so important that your views on such an essential service are clearly heard, in order to ensure a decent, equitable and sustainable Home Care system in Ireland.
The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament will be delivering a submission, but individual submissions are also vital.
Submit your feedback at this link.
Please note that there are two survey options to choose from – an Easy Read and a Standard version.
‘Cashless’ banks & older people
The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament views with dismay the announcement by Bank of Ireland of significant changes to the level of service which will be available in up to 80% of their branches across the country within the next few months.
The Parliament view is that these changes will restrict the ability of many, across the lifecycle, to transact business in most of the Bank of Ireland branches. For many older people this will impose hardship and concern. Many older people are digitally literate but for those who are not this will impose additional burdens and worry.
We know that many older people are reliant on over-the-counter transactions, and we demand that their specific needs must be recognised and accommodated. We call on Bank of Ireland to seriously consider the implications of such changes for older and other vulnerable people in the community, who are reliant on the maintenance of existing banking services.
While technological progress is to be welcomed, it also must be acknowledged that changes must keep pace with digital literacy across generations. Into the future, a cashless society is, perhaps, inevitable, but is certainly not where we are yet.
We ask Bank of Ireland to reverse this decision until they show how they will respond and cater for those older people.
Máiréad Hayes
CEO
086 349 8848
Wexford Afternoon Tea Dance
Fancy a trip to Wexford Town in the sunny south east? Well dust down your dancing shoes, get that rhythm going and come along on Sunday 2nd April 2017 to Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford Town at 3.00pm. The band and the floor await your ‘twinkle toes’. Take that ‘necessary trip’. Young or old, you can do it. There will be ‘no judging’. Just Fun.
