News
Budget Fever Hits Early
ARE OLDER PEOPLE BEING TARGETED WE ASK
The Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., in response to a question posed to him, responded that
he cannot rule out a Budget Cut to the Older Age Pension (State Pension).
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament would remind the Minister that over 50% of Older People are dependent on this pension as their sole source of income. The loss of the Special Payment at Christmas was a reduction in the payments for those pensioners during what was one of the harshest winters we have experienced.
In the year to date
- Dental and Eye Benefit were removed
- A carbon tax introduced with no alleviation measures to reduce its impact
- The plan to introduce Water charges accelerated
- A draft of the prescription charges bill is we understand before cabinet
- Higher fuel and petrol charges
- Planned cuts to the Home Help Service
- Reductions in transport services
- Cuts to the Health Services
There are still over 17% of Older People who are at risk of poverty and the State Pension as a percentage of average earnings is one of the lowest in the EU.
We are aware that the Budgetary Process has commenced and that many a “kite” will be flown over the coming months. Last year the process was fuelled by the Commission on Taxation Report and the “Bord Snip Report”, the author of which was quoted in December as saying that he was preparing the ground with his report.
Last year Older People may have been fearful and anxious. However that is not the message we are getting from them this year.
Special Delegate Meeting 2010
In the Liberty Hall Theatre & Conference Centre on Friday 21 May from 12.00 noon sharp to 3.15pm.
This Special Delegate Meeting will provide the Parliament’s 400 affiliated member organisations an opportunity to consider affiliation / membership fees.
News in Brief 2009
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament has issued a special “News in Brief” focusing on its Annual Parliament Meeting, 2010.
Click here: News in Brief April 2010 to view / download the newsletter (pdf format, 1Mb).
ISCP first Executive members honoured
Two members of the first Executive of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament were honoured at APM 2010.
Emer Cosgrave and Jim Eadie (pictured) were thanked for their dedication and vision in helping set up the Parliament in 1996, following on from the European Year of Older People three years earlier and for their service on the ISCP’s first Executive Committee.
Photo: Jim Quinn, Emer Cosgrave, President Mary McAleese, Jim Eadie and Sylvia Meehan