Fine Gael/Labour Govt has continually attacked older people

Fianna Fáil candidate Barbara Ahern is criticising the outgoing government for the way they have treated older people. Contrary to their claims to have protected older people, the actions of Fine Gael and Labour tell a different story.

There has been a raft of cuts and measures that have directly affected the incomes of older people. Older people have seen a five fold hike in prescription fees, changes to the eligibility criteria for medical cards, removal of telephone allowance, and reductions in the vital Household Benefits Package, the abolition of the Bereavement Grant and the introduction of water charges. Furthermore, the State Pension has not increased in line with inflation.

As a consequence of the actions of this Government the rate of deprivation for those aged 65 and over has increased from 9.5% in 2009 to 14.3% in 2014. It is a myth that older people have been protected.

Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring older people are valued in our society and that they have the resources and the services that they require to live full and independent lives.

The cuts to home help hours for older people are nothing short of disgraceful and are another example of the Government’s failure to keep the promises it made in order to get itself elected. Fine Gael and Labour committed to increasing home help supports year on year. What has happened is the complete opposite. The assistance hours have been slashed by around 10% over the past five years, and as a result of these harsh cuts, older people are finding it increasingly difficult to stay living in their own homes

We are committed to an ‘Independent Living Contract’ for older people. Our measures will ensure that older people see a tangible and measurable improvement in living standards and services during our time in Government. The Independent Living Contract Involves a number of key measures, all of which are independently costed:

* Increase the State Pension by €30 to €263
* Increase in the Living Alone Allowance to €15
* Full restoration of Housing Adaptation Grants
* Phased abolition of Prescription Charges
* Ending Mandatory Retirement
* New Social Entrepreneurship Fund
* Specific Employment Supports for over 50s
* More flexible access to Pension Funds
* Protect private pensions
* Mandatory sentences for assaults on older people
* Active living promotion through education, sports and social club supports
* Specialised accommodation for older people in the heart of communities
* New national strategy for long term care.