News
Reply from ISCP to article about Gay Byrne in Irish Times
This letter is a reply to the original article which appeared in the Irish Times on Saturday 13 February 2010.
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Madam – Saturday’s Irish Times article on Gay Byrne provided some remarkable insights – not only into the mind of the great broadcaster, but also into how many of Ireland’s Older People feel they are treated. Gay’s comment on the “constant, low-level anxiety” felt by people of his generation is certainly echoed by many of the members of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.
2009 brought Older People – and everyone else – the continuing banking & credit crisis, the introduction of NAMA, the continuation of the over-70s Medical card debacle, further threats to pensions and other entitlements and the introduction of prescription charges & income levies.
The article states that Gay has “borne witness to decades of mismanagement” but in 2010 older people can look forward to among other things a Carbon Tax, metered water charges and a decrease in Older People’s waivers for waste charges together with VAT on Local Authority Charges to name but a few items. Where will it stop we ask.
However it was his lament on lack of consultation – “Had. I. Been. Asked.” – that indicated the single greatest challenge for Older People in today’s Ireland. Older People have valuable contributions to make to society – the ISCP works to enable these contributions to be heard and implemented. For example next month’s Annual Parliament Meeting will be an opportunity for Older People to speak on issues that concern them – ranging from the impact of the withdrawal of the Medical Card for over-70s to Elder Abuse to the need for the Community Support Scheme to enable people to feel secure in their homes.
But who will listen?
All is not lost, however. As part of the National Positive Ageing Strategy, the Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, Áine Brady TD is beginning a series of meetings around the country to hear the views of older people on issues that affect them. This is a most welcome development and is fully supported by the ISCP. We look forward to the action which we hope will follow the consultation.
The lives lived by Older People should be treasured and value should be given to their ongoing contributions to society in so many different ways. They should not be treated as economic units, but rather as valued citizens with a great deal to offer and valuable suggestions to enable all of us together to make Ireland the best place in which to grow old.
Yours sincerely
Máiréad Hayes
CEO
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
Staying Safe in the “Big Freeze”
If you must enter out in the icy weather please ensure the following safety precautions:
- Wrap up, wear layers and
- Bulky coat.
- Wear boots with non skid soles.
- Wear a brightly coloured scarf or hat or reflective gear to ensure you are visible to motorists.
- Take a walking stick with you and ensure the rubber tip is not worn out.
- Avoid shortcuts and stay on main well lit footpaths.
- Keep hands out of pockets and this decreases your centre of gravity and balance.
- Watch were you are going.
- Walk slowly and don’t rush.
Remember you can contact the HSE information line if you are experiencing difficulties 1850 241850.
Attn: Members of the Cork division
Due to adverse weather conditions the scheduled meeting of the ISCP Cork division on Monday 8th January has been cancelled. The next meeting of the Cork division will be on Monday 8th February @11am in Connolly Hall.
Assistance to Pensioners and welfare recipients
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament supports the call for Assistance to Pensioners and welfare recipients
Action is needed now to ensure that people have heat and hot food. We ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to make a hardship payment to pensioners and welfare recipients of a sum equivalent to one week’s pension or welfare payment.
With weather conditions expected to drop to -12 degrees over the coming week it is important that people are given the money to enable them to heat their homes and buy hot food. After Christmas those on low incomes are always short of money. This year the shortage of money is compounded by the non payment of the Additional Week at Christmas and also the reduction in payments to those aged under 66.
Speaking today Mairead Hayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament said
This is the longest and coldest period of weather in Ireland for over 50 years. Decisive action must be taken now to deal with it. All efforts must be made to protect life and limb. This is an emergency and all organs of government must be mobilised to deal with it
Continuing she asked all in the community to call on their older and vulnerable neighbours to see if they can help in any way. She particularly called on Older People to take the initiative and get in touch with their neighbours and ask them for assistance.
Budget 2010 – News in Brief
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament has issued a special “News in Brief” outlining the impact of Budget 2010 on Older People.
Click here: News in Brief Budget 2010 to view / download the newsletter (pdf format).