News
Is the “Fair Deal” fair?
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls on the Minister for Health & Children, Mary Harney T.D. to immediately clarify the report in today’s Irish Independent regarding the cost to older people for Long Stay Charges in Public Facilities.
We have maintained for some time that the Fair Deal was not fair as basic items which we consider as essential for the care and comfort of Older People are excluded from the Scheme. Of particular concern is the fact that the price negotiated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on behalf of the Minister for Health & Children does not include incontinence pads and normal services such as chiropody, dental treatment, therapies and other items essential for the care and comfort of Older People.
Now we ask the Minister to tell us what the differences are between private and public. Will additional care be provided in public facilities and how is the price justified?
Speaking today Mairead Hayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament said
Will these charges push Older People and their families into choosing Private rather than Public facilities?
This scheme was meant to provide people with a choice between public and private facilities, so that they would no longer be pushed in any direction. However given the huge variation in price it now looks like many Older People will not have a choice and will be forced into choosing private facilities.
We must continue the debate on a universal heath care system that would bring equity to all.
Budget 2010: ISCP submission
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament has made a very detailed Pre-Budget Submission to Government.
Among the main points which we have stressed are:
- A commitment to protect the most vulnerable;
- An increase of €10 in the State Pension for Older People;
- The reinstatement of the Additional Payment at Christmas for pensioners (Christmas Bonus);
- Access to services as of right for all Older People and especially access to travel and the entitlement to the Travel Pass to continue to be available for all Older People”.
We are aware that these are difficult times however we should judge society by how it treats society’s most vulnerable. We continue to urge Government to demonstrate its concern by protecting Ireland’s older citizens in Budget 2010.
The quality of Older Peoples’ lives has never been more under threat! A year ago thousands of Older People protested at Dáil Éireann against the withdrawal of the medical card for the over 70s. Show that we still have the strength & solidarity to fight for our rights by your actions.
Lobby for Older People: visit, write, phone & e-mail your local TDs & public representatives.
To view or download the full Submission in pdf form (395kB) click on this link: budget_2010_submission_by_the_iscp
Support the Day of Protest – November 6
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament has decided, following a decision of the Executive Committee, to lend its support to the National Day of Protest on Friday 6 November and to the “Get Up, Stand Up” campaign.
This campaign aims to bring about change in how Government responds to the crisis we face.
As part of the National Day of Protest, there are demonstrations scheduled to take place in eight centres across the country on November 6 at 2.30pm. These are: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore, and Dundalk.
Protect
- Jobs
- Pensions
- Vulnerable People
- Vital Services
- Community Support
- Peoples’ Homes
We ask our member organisations to get behind this campaign and show that Older People in Ireland will stand up for their rights and to protect pensions, the Christmas Bonus, free travel, the carer’s allowance and of course medical cards.
For more information, see http://www.getupstandup.ie
Communicating Europe – September 2009
In September we held a series of four meetings on Communicating Europe & the Lisbon Treaty. This was in response to requests from members.
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament facilitated these meeting with Members of the European Parliament & other public representatives to inform Older People about the European Union & the Lisbon Treaty and their affect on older people.
Four meetings were held with a variety of speakers. The format was each meeting started with a “Just the Facts” presentation setting the context and history of the European Union facilitated by Andrea Pappin of the European Movement Ireland or Peadar O’Broin of the Institute of International & European Affairs. We sought a representative from the European Commission, but they were unable to facilitate our request.
This was followed by (an equal number of) speakers in favour (Y) of the Treaty & against (N) the Treaty. We had lively discussions as quite a number of older people came along both to listen and contribute.
The main speakers were:
- Dún Laoghaire / Rathdown: Mary Hanafin TD (Y), Proinsias de Rossa MEP (Y), Eoin O’Broin (N) (in place of Mary Lou McDonald) and Tony Allwright, journalist (N). Seán Barrett TD attended and made a contribution. Frank Farrelly, ISCP Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown chaired the meeting.
- EPIC, Dublin: Gay Mitchell MEP (Y) & Patricia McKenna (N). Sylvia Meehan, President ISCP, chaired the meeting
- Finglas: Proinsias de Rossa MEP & Joe Higgins MEP (N). Hugh Smullen, Chair of Finglas Division ISCP, welcomed the attendees & speakers.
- Galway: Cllr. Catherine Connolly (N) & Dr. Brendan Flynn, NUIG (Y). Evelyn Moran, ISCP Honorary Secretary & Galway Division chaired the meeting.
These meetings were organised in close cooperation with the local Divisions of the Parliament. Máiréad Hayes CEO and ISCP staff attended all meetings.
Issues raised at the meetings included : healthcare, pensions, new taxes, why a second referendum, security & defence, the Citizens Initiative, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Irish guarantees, Ireland’s Commissioner, wage rates, climate change and & voting rights.