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“On the second day before the budget, Older People asked of Brian …”
Take care of our Carers
Dear Brian,
Many Older People are full-time care givers and their role needs to be recognised in Budget 2010.
It has been estimated by the Carers Association that family carers are saving the Government €2.5billion per year by providing over 192million hours of caring work per year. Family carers should be given the recognition they deserve together with adequate supports to assist them in their care giving roles.
We consider the abolition of the half rate carer’s allowance to be a retrograde step. We welcomed and praised its introduction and now urge that it continue to be paid.
We seek the abolition of the Means Test for family carers. Failing that, we seek an increase in the amount of disregard for personal savings up to €40,000. Further, the level of the Respite Care Grant should be increased to at least €2,000 for each care recipient and the number of respite facilities/care facilities increased.
The Parliament was disappointed at the decision not to publish the Carer’s Strategy and would like to see this strategy published immediately.
Yours sincerely
Ireland’s Older People
“On the third day before the budget, Older People asked of Brian …”
Living alone / Over-80 increases
Dear Brian,
The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice has shown that the cost of living alone equals 73% of the cost of living as a couple. The state helps the 26.7% of all people aged 65+ in Ireland who live alone by paying them a living alone increase amounting to €7.70 per week.
But this payment has not been increased since 1996 – in over 13 years. We are calling for this payment to be now increased to €18 per week.
This is an essential benefit – not only do we want to see it maintained but we feel that it should be increased to match the rise in the cost of living since 1996.
The Age Increase paid to those aged over 80 has not changed for a number of years and the Parliament is now calling for it to be increased from €10 to €15 per week. It should also be extended to a dependent spouse over 80 years of age.
Every small measure that keeps Older People healthy & out of hospitals and nursing homes will save the state money.
Yours sincerely
Ireland’s Older People
“On the fourth day before the budget, Older People asked of Brian …”
Carbon Tax relief
Dear Brian,
We are very concerned that the introduction of a carbon tax may only worsen the position of the 10% of older people who are already experiencing fuel poverty.
The Parliament is seeking assurances that measures to protect vulnerable older people will be introduced alongside any carbon taxes. We agree with the Commission’s proposal that revenues collected should be used to achieve improvement in the situation of the less well off.
We urge that this must include the less well off older people in Ireland. It is older people living alone, on low incomes, in older, poorly insulated housing that are currently struggling to heat their homes. It is these people that must be protected. A further tax on this segment of the community could result in deaths due to hypothermia this winter.
Of course a carbon tax would also affect older rural drivers. The proposal in the McCarthy report to cease state funding for the rural transport initiative – 58% of the passengers are aged 65 and over – would have a detrimental effect for many older people living in isolated areas.
The ISCP welcomed the extension of the fuel allowance from 30 weeks to 32 weeks and the increase to €20 per week.
Please increase the fuel allowance and restore the rural transport initiative.
Yours sincerely
Ireland’s Older People
“On the fifth day before the budget, Older People asked of Brian …”
Don’t tax household benefits for older people
Dear Brian,
Over the years Older People have gained a number of very helpful schemes. These so-called “free schemes” include the provision of passports, electricity or gas, telephone and the television license.
Please do not succumb to the temptation to tax these schemes.
“Why not?” You may ask. Don’t we all have to bear the budgetary burden?
These schemes have a direct effect on the living standards of the poorest & most vulnerable people in Ireland. If you tax the schemes, you will get hardly any extra money. Indeed the cost of collection could well exceed the amount collected.
It makes no sense to tax vulnerable older people for little or no gain.
Indeed you should modestly add to the schemes. Free broadband accesswould extend social participation for Older People at minimal cost.
Yours sincerely
Ireland’s Older People