News
Solvent firms should not be allowed to walk away
MEDIA RELEASE
Protect Pensions and Stop Solvent Firms walking away from their responsibilities
Tomorrow Seanad Éireann under the Social Welfare Bill 2016 will debate an amendment to the Pensions Act 1990 by inserting a new section 48A.
If passed this new section will ensure that
A solvent firm shall not be allowed to close a defined benefit pension scheme except where the scheme has reached a minimum 90 per cent funding standard
Not a lot to ask, many of you might say, but let us see whether our Senators step up to the mark and do it.
We are urging all Senators to support this amendment and show they care for all of us. The manner in which members of schemes in solvent companies are being treated is a matter of serious concern. It must stop and now is the time to do it.
A pension to a worker is a promise to pay that which they and their employer contributed to during their working lives. It was taken account in pay negotiations. Surely you will agree it is not fair to seek to take it twice. The present situation where pensioners and deferred pensioners have no “Right Of Audience” for redress is a travesty. The only option for people to seek redress is through costly litigation to the courts which individuals and many of their representative bodies cannot afford.
We need change and if passed this amendment will be a first step to highlight the inequities where people who have contributed and paid into such schemes over many years are short changed and left in dire straits.
We need reform of the total pension system both Social Welfare and Occupational Pensions to ensure that pension rights are protected and that the position of women is included in such reform.
It is up to all Senators to vote to start that reform tomorrow.
ENDS
Contact Mairead Hayes 086 349 8848
Pensioners have waited long enough
Pensions increase must be paid from January 2017
Reports from media sources today bring us the good news that the amount of money available to Government for BUDGET 2017 has increased by at least €200 million bringing total available spend to at least €1.2billion. At the same time media sources also report that the payment of the “promised” €5 to pensioners maybe deferred.
Any deferral of the payment beyond January 1st would be a retrograde step. For older people the months after Christmas are very bleak and lonely. There is a flat feeling after Christmas with very little to look forward to, except additional heating bills and confinement to home base due to inclement weather and shortage of money.
Seniors Ireland recognise that “leaks” and “wish lists” are part of the normal jostling and lobbying, within the same party, between coalition partners and also the parties who support the government. However if the question of a deferral of this payment to older people is being used in this way then we say it is cynical and should stop now. It is causing anxiety to older people that money promised to them in Party Manifestos will not be granted and paid with effect from 1st January 2016.
Mairead Hayes CEO today called for Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar T.D. to publicly address this matter and to stand up for and support pensioners to ensure that they receive the payment with effect from 1st January 2017”.
ENDS
Contact Mairead Hayes 086 349 8848
Senior Citizens – Your Vote is Your Voice
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament are urging all senior citizens to got out and vote on Friday 26th February. It is important that the strong record of voting, which older people have held in this country for many years, is maintained in this election and that senior citizens have a strong voice in the future shape of the next government.
In urging all senior citizens to go out and vote, we are not in any way attempting to tell you who to vote for, but rather asking that you to DO VOTE.
Your vote maybe critical in your constituency and if you do not vote you will have passed up on your opportunity to influence the shape of the next government.
What we want for senior citizens is a government who will introduce policies that will make Ireland the best little country to grow old in. We recognise that older people are not all the same and so there are varying ASKS among our members. We know because you told us that income and access are the two most important issues. Access covers a broad range of services including health and services to name but two. What older people say they want is certainty and so in voting look to see where there is some element of incremental change.
Look at the issues which are important to you and in considering your choice examine carefully the Manifestos which have been issued by parties and those independents who do not belong to any party.
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament is committed to wanting the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which is a blueprint for an Ireland which would be the best little country to grow old in. That is why we joined with other groups in the Earn Our Vote campaign around three agreed policies.
Friday 26th is your opportunity to influence the position of older people over the next five years. Before you vote we ask you to consider and examine the pledges and promises made by the parties and independent candidates in relation to the issues that are important to you and your family.