News

Senior Citizens Parliament welcomes ending of Pharmacy Dispute

By Grace | 18th August 2009

The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament has welcomed the ending of the 11-day dispute between pharmacists and the Health Service Executive over cuts in fees for dispensing state drugs.

Speaking following the announcement of the resumption of normal pharmacy service, Máiréad Hayes, CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament stated that “the pharmacy dispute meant that older people faced the stress of additional travel and waiting times to obtain a regular supply of medicine. These vulnerable people felt caught in a crossfire between the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on one side and the HSE and the Government on the other.”

The ending of the dispute means an end to queuing by older people and allows those who have friends and families with them in this holiday month to enjoy it without the worry of having to travel and queue to get much needed medication.

The ISCP recognizes that the cost of dispensing prescription drugs must be reduced and also that family pharmacies have the right to an adequate income. However older people suffered in the dispute and its ending is a victory for common sense.

Impact of Pharmacy Dispute on older people

By Grace | 8th August 2009

Usually August is a HOT Month, August is a HOLIDAY Month, August is a HEALTHY Month for Older People & Their Families.

At a specially convened meeting today Saturday 9th August the Executive of the Parliament considered the reports from around the country of the severe impact the Pharmacy Dispute was having on all older people.

Speaking following the meeting, Máiread Hayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament stated that “the dispute is now seven days old and the impact on older people in some pockets of the country is severe.

A resolution must be found and common sense and logic demands that interventions at government must be made to end the impasse.

We are aware of a harsh winter ahead and the promise of harsh and hard measures, so let’s stop the queuing and allow those who have friends and families with them in this holiday month enjoy it without the worry of having to travel and queue to get much needed medication.

Concluding she called on the Minister for Health and Children to start the process now.

Start the discussion NOW!!

By Grace | 16th July 2009

IT’S TIME to decide and start the discussion about  the Ireland we all want to grow Old in.

Lets start IT Now.

Speaking today following the publication of An Bord Snip Nua Report, MáireadHayes CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament stated that “the Menu, choice and range of options in this report have the potential to detrimentally affect the lives of all Older People. The Menu ranges far and wide and if even partially implemented will have lasting consequences on the lives of all Older People”.

Noting Minister Lenihan’s remarks that

These are the choices we as a people and not just as public representatives and Government will have to face up to etc

on behalf of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament she asked,

What process is the Minister proposing to ensure that all the people can be involved in the decisions.

The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament wants and demands to be involved in the discussions and debates about the range of options contained in the report both in its own right as an organisation and also as part of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership.

Concluding she said

Minister lets have a timetable and start the debate now about the kind of Ireland in which Older People will be cherished.

Westport European and Local Election Meeting – 14 May 2009

By Grace | 29th May 2009

The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament’s Westport meeting with European and Local Election candidates took place on 14 May 2009 in the Plougastel Court Centre. Candidates from the North-West Euro Constituency and Westport local electoral areas were invited.

The meeting was attended by one European Candidate: Michael McNamara.

Michael spoke about issues that are important to him such as the lack of power held by the local authorities, implementation of EU funding at regional level & the importance & availability of European wide broadband.

The meeting in Westport was attended by 5 local candidates, Myles Staunton (Fine Gael), Christy Hyland (Fine Gael), Peter Flynn (Fine Gael), Keith Martin (Labour) & Ollie Gannon (Fine Gael).

Among the issues raised with the candidates were:  medical cards, the suspension of the grant system for the personal alarms, the refuse charge waiver scheme, rural transport & library resources.

The Westport meeting was hosted by the Westport Active Retirement Association and was attended by many of the local people from a number of Older Peoples groups frmo Mayo & Sligo. Pauline Berry, vice-President of Westport Active Retirement and Breda O’Malley,  Máiréad Hayes, CEO, and Lauren Quinn Taylor,  Policy officer of the Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament also attended.

Marian Harkin MEP (Independent) and Fiachra Ó Luain (Independent) along with Mary Thornton (representing Declan Ganley of Libertas) had attended the meeting in Galway the previous day. Apologies were received from Jim Higgins MEP, Susan O’Keefe, Pat the Cope Gallagher TD and Paschal Mooney.