News
President Mary McAleese to address Senior Citizens Parliament
The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese will address the Annual Parliament Meeting of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament on Friday 26th March at 15.30 pm. The Parliament are delighted that the President has taken time out from her busy schedule to attend at the Parliament Meeting and to address the delegates gathered there to welcome her.
The ISCP are only too well aware of the commitment of President McAleese to Older People and are delighted that she will address the meeting.
Senior citizens are aware of the position that Ireland faces at this time as a result of the downturn in the economy. They are concerned for themselves and for their children and grandchildren. It is truly a time for intergenerational solidarity something which President McAleese in her Presidency has been keen to encourage and nurture.
Delegates from all parts of Ireland will discus the issues which are important to them in their daily lives. Sylvia Meehan a long-time champion of equal rights, President of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and a winner of a “Rehab People of the Year” award 2009 will chair the Parliament Meeting.
The 14th Annual Parliament of the ISCP will take place in the Liberty Hall Theatre & Conference Centre from 2.00pm on Friday 26 March to 1.00pm Saturday 27 March 2010. The Annual Parliament provides the ISCP’s affiliated member organisations with an opportunity to promote the views of older people, to set policy for the Parliament and to elect officers for the coming year.
Among the issues to be discussed at the Annual Parliament will be pensions, medical cards, prescription charges, water charges and the withdrawal of the Additional payment at Christmas.
Medical card renewal problems – Change needed now
The current backlog in renewing medical cards is outrageous and causing untold difficulties to thousands of ill Older People according to the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.
As it is self-evident from the HSE’s own figures and statistics that the vast majority of Older People qualify for a medical card, the ISCP proposes that until such time as the difficulties being experienced in processing medical card renewals are resolved all medical cards for Older People should be extended for a period of two years with immediate effect.
By this process staff should be freed up to handle applications from those who are newly unemployed and also alleviate some of the hardship they are suffering.
Any new cards being issued should be for a three year period rather than the current two year period. We demand that the HSE immediately seek clearance from the Department of Health and Children to implement this proposal.
The backlog in respect of the renewal of cards for people over 70 in the Finglas centre is now running into the thousands. This backlog coupled with the short renewal period is causing problems and hardship for Older People. These difficulties are further compounded by the fact that people cannot get replies to telephone queries made to the central renewal office
said the Parliament’s CEO, Máiréad Hayes.
The practical effect of this is that Older People who are entitled to a medical card have instead to pay substantial medical fees and prescription charges. For those on continuing medication, the position has become an intolerable financial burden which is inflicting great hardship and may lead to further their health problems
continued Ms Hayes.
These difficulties further strengthen our view that the decision to remove the Universal right to a medical card from the over-70s was a very bad one.A long-term solution to this backlog is to restore this universal entitlement and thus protect the health of Older People
concluded Ms Hayes.
Annual Parliament Meeting – 26-27 March 2010
Do you want to hear what Older People think about Ireland 2010?
Much, Oh So Much, has changed since our last Annual Parliament Meeting.
Come along to the Liberty Hall Theatre and Conference Centre on Friday 26 & Saturday 27 March to hear what our senior citizens have to say about these changes and how they affect their daily lives.
Come along and meet the delegates representing our affiliated organisations and hear what they have to say on such issues about pensions, medical cards, water charges and the withdrawal of the additional payment at Christmas to name a few.
The meeting starts at 1300hrs on Friday and at 1030hrs on Saturday. A copy of the Final Agenda and Standing Order is below.
ANNUAL PARLIAMENT MEETING
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 26th & 27th March 2010
THE LIBERTY HALL THEATRE AND CONFERENCE CENTRE
Siptu, LIBERTY HALL, DUBLIN 1
STANDING ORDERS REPORT NO. 1
The Standing Orders Committee have examined the nominations for all the candidates for the following positions and found them to be in order:
PRESIDENT Jim Cousins, Peter Campbell
VICE-PRESIDENT Ena O’Mahoney
HONORARY SECRETARY Evelyn Moran
TREASURER Nell Foley
TRUSTEE John James McLoughlin, John Tierney
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Peter Campbell Anna O’Farrell Jim Cousins Ena O’Mahoney Nell Foley Breda O’Malley Anthony Gilligan Patrick Philpott Henry Harding Séamus Rodgers Barney Hartnett Patrick A. Stanley Joe Jennings John Tierney Ignatius Martin Gerry Whyte Pat Morgan Jeremiah Withers John J Murray
STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE
Patrick Clarke, Nuala Early, Frank Farrelly, Jim McArdle, Jim Quinn, Frank Waters
As there are 2 nominations for the position of President there will be an ELECTION for the position of President.
As only one nomination was received for each of the positions of Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Treasurer there will be be NO ELECTION for the positions of Vice-President, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.
As there are only 2 nominations for the position of Trustee and two vacancies there will be no ELECTION for the position of Trustee.
There are 19 nominations in respect of the 15 positions on the Executive Committee and as three of the candidates for the Executive are unopposed for positions as Officers of the Parliament this reduces the number of validly nominated candidates to 16. However two of the remaining candidates for the Executive committee are the two people contesting the position of President of the ISCP namely, Peter Campbell and Jim Cousins. Therefore on the election of one of them to that position this will leave a situation where 15 people will then be validly nominated for the 15 places on the Executive. As a result there will be no ELECTION for the positions on the Executive Committee.
As the nominations for the Standing Orders Committee are sufficient there will be NO ELECTION for the Standing Orders Committee.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR VOTING
Ballot papers will be distributed on Saturday, 27th March 2010, at 11.00hrs. Each delegate will be required to produce their pre-numbered Delegate Card to the Scrutineers before receiving their ballot paper.
ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11.00HRS SATURDAY, 27th March 2010
BALLOT BOXES WILL BE PLACED IN THE CONFERENCE HALL VOTING WILL CLOSE AT 11.45HRS (SHARP)
RETURNING OFFICER
It is recommended that Jane Boushell be invited to act as Returning Officer for the elections.
PROCEEDINGS WILL COMMENCE AT 14.00HRS ON FRIDAY AND AT 10.30HRS ON SATURDAY
LIMITATION OF SPEAKERS
Subject to the discretion of the Chairperson of the Annual Parliament Meeting the proposer of a motion shall be allowed 4 minutes and each subsequent speaker 2 minutes. Delegates are requested to comply with these time limits to ensure completion of the Agenda. In the event of there being a time problem with regard to the completion of the business of the APM a further Standing Orders Report may be moved to deal with a reduction of these timings.
It is recommended that the Parliament Meeting closes no later than 13.30hrs on Saturday, 27th March 2010.
MOTIONS 2010
The motions received were examined by the Standing Orders Committee and were found to be in order. The committee recommends that motions 18, 19 & 20 be composited and the proposers of the motions have agreed to Composite number 1.
Composite Motion No. 1
Prescription Charges
This Conference condemns the introduction of a 50 cent per item charge on Medical Card Holder’s prescriptions which in their view is targeting the poorest of the population. Many older people require a number of medications and at 50 cent per item this will mean another drain on already stretched incomes. We call on the Executive Committee of the ISCP to meet urgently with the Minister for Finance with a view to abolishing prescription charges for all senior citizens on medical cards.
Motion will be proposed by SIPTU Region2
Seconded by Cork Council of Trade Unions
Supported by SIPTU Region 4
Dinner & Social Evening
There will be a Meal & Social Evening on Friday, 26th March 2010, at 18.30hrs.
DELEGATES ARE REQUESTED TO NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF THEY WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE MEAL EITHER TO 01 8561243 OR BY EMAIL.
AGENDA
FIRST SESSION
FRIDAY, 26th March 2010(DAY 1)
12.00hrs–13.50hrs Registration of Delegates
14.00hrs Welcome Address – Sylvia Meehan, President, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
14.05hrs Adoption of Standing Orders Report No. 1
14.15hrs Election of Scrutineers and Tellers
14.20hrs Presidential Address – Sylvia Meehan, President
14.35hrs Introduction of Annual Report 2009 – Evelyn Moran, Honorary Secretary
14.45hrs MOTIONS 2010
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & FAMILY AFFAIRS
Government Pensions Policy
Motion No. 1
Pension Protection
Motion No. 2
State Pension Contribution Payments
Motion No. 3
15.30hrs Address by President of Ireland,Mary McAleese
Followed by Tea/Coffee Break
16.30hrs Additional Payment at Christmas
Motions No. 4, 5 & 6
Fuel Allowance
Motion No. 7
Living Alone Allowance
Motion No. 8
Universal Social Contribution
Motion No. 9
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Home Help Services
Motion No. 10
Financial Abuse
Motion No. 11
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
Transport Services
Motion No. 12
17.45hrs PRESENTATION
18.15hrs END OF FIRST SESSION
18.30hrs MEAL & SOCIAL EVENING
SECOND SESSION
SATURDAY, 27th March 2010 (DAY 2)
09.00hrs REGISTRATION
10.00hrs PRIVATE SESSION
Treasurers Report
Questions & Answers
Election of Auditors
Report from the Funding Committee
MOTIONS 2010 continued…
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & CHILDREN
Universal Health Care
Motion No. 13
Medical Card
Motion Nos. 14, 15 & 16
Prescription Charge
Motion No. 17
Composite Motion No. 1
(Motions 18, 19 & 20)
Dental & Optical Benefits
Motion No. 21
Irish Heart Foundation Stroke Manifesto
Motion No. 22
Mental Health
Motion No. 23
11.00hrs ELECTIONS 2010
DISTRIBUTION OF BALLOT PAPERS
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11.30hrs MOTIONS 2010 continued…
Nursing Home Support Scheme
Motion Nos. 24 & 25
REPORT OF THE HEALTH SUB COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Taxes & Charges
Motion No. 26
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Motion Nos. 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY RURAL & GAELTACHT AFFIARS
Community Support Scheme
Motion Nos. 32 & 33
Safety & Security in the Home
Motion 34
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Taxation
Motion No. 35
13.25hrs ELECTION RESULTS (if available)
13.30hrs Close of Annual Parliament Meeting with Vote of Thanks to the outgoing President, Sylvia Meehan
National Pensions Framework
Following the launch of the long awaited National Pensions Framework, by Minister Hanafin today at Government Buildings, Máiréad Hayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP) welcomed the Framework Launch but expressed her concern over the increase in the minimum age for the non-contributory State pension.
The Parliament has always been of the view that any increase in the age of retirement should be voluntary with choices available to the person based on what is best for them.
While we support the option to allow people to continue working longer, the mandatory age increase may not fully take the individual health and well-being of Older People into consideration.
There appears to be no ongoing commitment to move beyond the 35% of gross Average Industrial Earnings which the Framework has set out and the ISCP will work to increase this figure over time.
We welcome the introduction of Credits for Homemakers from 2012 which will replace disregards retrospective to 1994. This will benefit many women. However there are many women who were in caring and homemaker roles prior to that time. Many of them are also affected by the marriage bar and we would urge the Minister to re-examine these issues.
We welcome the concept of the introduction of the auto-enrolment scheme. We will be closely watching how it evolves. We were in favour of a system which would be State run.
We invite public participation in this debate – come to www.seniors.ie and let us know what you think
concluded Ms Hayes.
ENDS
Recommendations on Pension Reform from the ISCP (1 Page)Recommendations on Pension Reform from the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament is calling for a new pension system that guarantees an income adequate to meet all the needs of pensioners. Respect for Older People and a commitment to maintaining independence in old age would underpin this system. In this system a pension would be an income replacement not a minimum anti-poverty measure. An adequate pension would lead to a number of gains for society, not least social inclusion and a positive ageing experience for all (O’Shea in O’Dell, 2006). A system underwritten by these principles would be progressive and sustainable.
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament proposes a new pension system where mandatory contributions are made to a State run scheme which guarantees a pension of 50% of Gross Average Industrial Earnings on retirement.
- Mandatory occupational pensions should be offered to all staff. Staff should not be allowed to opt out as most of our members state that where they have a GOOD PENSION it is because they had to pay for it.
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls for reforms that would enable all Older People who need it to qualify for the State non-contributory pension.
- The benchmark system to be applied should be the best that is on offer.
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls for the Homemakers’ Scheme to be backdated to allow Older Women to receive a full pension in their own right
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls for women with inadequate contribution records to be provided with a pension in recognition of their contribution to the economy and society.
- The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls for a total contributions approach to qualifying for a pension because every contribution made can be used to fund pensions and should be redeemable regardless of when or how the contribution was made.
- In the context of class D and dependent adult allowances, we suggest that the agreement for some farmer/self-employed spouses may provide a solution to deal with them. The SCOPE model agreed under the “Towards 2016” Social Partnership Agreement by the IFA, DSFA and Revenue surely provides an innovative blueprint for the resolution of other anomalies.
- We recommend that the pension be paid at 65 and the Transition pension be abolished.
- This allowance should be increased annually in line with inflation.