Protect Basic Supports 2009

Thanks to campaigning action by thousands of older people the State Pension and related supports were protected in the Budget 

Below are some of the actions Older & Bolder supporters took as they took part in the campaign:

Be Bold. Act Now.

This is a challenging period for older people who are feeling the effects of the recession and are dealing with the erosion of services and entitlements.

The 2009 campaign described how cuts were impacting on older people’s quality of life. Being solution focussed the campaign promoted 5 sensible and achievable solutions for an age-friendly Ireland. 

Prior to the 2009 campaign Older & Bolder conducted a country-wide programme of consultation meetings with older people. They told us that reliable State supports are absolutely vital to their wellbeing and quality of life. It was clear that the removal of those supports would further damage older people’s independence and security.

A short position paper outlining Older and Bolder’s responses to each of the seven principles set out by the government in its National Pensions Framework. 

A Secure Pension System for All? Baseline Position on the National Pensions Framework (Download PDF 256kb)

Published July 2010. 10 pages.

Thanks to the many thousands of people who signed Older & Bolder’s petition asking the Government not to cut State Pensions in the Budget on Wednesday 9th. We received a tremendous response to the campaign and the support from around the country has been heartening. With the assistance of some hardy bikers the petitions were presented at Dáil Eireann on Friday December 4th and received by Minister Mary Hanafin’s private secretary. The Minister herself was not available.

Older & Bolder, an alliance of seven of the country’s leading organisations representing and working with older people, has today (Friday, 04 December) delivered over 15,000 ‘Save the State Pension’ petitions to Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin TD.

New research released today (Wednesday, 25th November) illustrates the effects of the recession on older people’s quality of life.  Coping mechanisms include: heating and living in one room in the house; shopping for discounted and cheaper food and fuel products; avoiding purchase of new clothes and furnishings; and minimising use of their cars.  The qualitative research report, Feeling the Pinch was prepared by Elizabeth Costello and Stephen O’Hare and commissioned by Older & Bolder, an alliance of seven of the country’s leading age NGOs.

A research-based report showing the effects of the recession, and the resulting cutbacks and reductions in health and social services, on older people in Ireland, especially those experiencing ill-health, poverty or social isolation. Includes a review of relevant literature ewhere, and 18 illustrative case studies.

Feeling the Pinch (Download PDF 1.15mb)

Researchers and authors: Elizabeth Costello and Stephen O’Hare.

Older people need to act now to protect their pensions, income supports and services

Older people feeling worried and insecure about potential cuts to their pensions and supports