Issues

Together with thousands of older people around the country Older & Bolder called for the following High 5 issues to be prioritised by political parties in advance of the 2011 General Election. Older people used this election toolkit and canvass card to frame their interaction with politicians.

1: Fairer Health Care

We need a universal system of health and social care. One that provides everyone with equal and timely access based on need. One that we all believe in and proudly contribute to, through taxation or social insurance, based on ability to pay.

On 22 February we launched our baseline statement on Health and Social Care “One for All, Age Friendly Health & Social Care: Principles and Experience” which identifies inequalities in the current system and outlines some of the changes required to meet older people’s specific health and social care needs. Download this as a PDF (215kb).

Currently, access to health and social care is too often affected by factors such as age, availability of insurance, medical card status or even geographic location. That’s why Ireland needs a securely-funded, well planned and fair health system for people of all ages. The current system also places too much emphasis on acute and hospital based services.

We believe there’s a real need for wise investment in a broader, joined-up system of care. One that spans health promotion, disease prevention, home care, community care, dementia supports, carer’s supports and mental health services right through to quality end-of-life care. Older people also need clearer, more straightforward ways to access information about their health entitlements.

2: Secure Pension

Over 43,000 citizens of all ages recently joined Older & Bolder in campaigning to protect the State Pension and basic supports.

Any new government must offer a firm guarantee to protect the State Pension and other essential supports like the Household Benefits Package from direct or indirect cuts such as the new Universal Social Charge.

Experience in recent years has shown the need for greater fairness, security and transparency in the area of private pensions and those same values should underpin any longer-term planning for our national pension system.

For more about our position on pensions please see our baseline position on the National Pensions Framework, A Secure Pension System for All?

3: Local Transport

Accessible and affordable local transport is a lifeline that many older people rely on to link with family and community, visit banks or shops and access health and social services.

Improved public transport systems not only promote older people’s independence and participation, they also support local and rural economies and communities.

The Free Travel and the Rural Transport Schemes must be continued and improved. There are also many gaps in the system which need to be addressed through a joined-up approach, developed in consultation with those who use the services.

4: Involvement

An age-friendly society in which everyone can contribute and participate is a better society. When we actively promote the inclusion and engagement of older people in all aspects of civic, public and cultural life, everyone benefits.

The many voluntary organisations that are working across Ireland to promote involvement and highlight its importance need to be supported in their work.

Our new government must embrace participation and should also offer practical steps to take account of older people’s opinions on the issues, policies and services that affect all our lives.

5: National Plan on Ageing

Many older people know the importance of planning – that’s why we need our new government to deliver Ireland’s long overdue ‘National Positive Ageing Strategy’. This Strategy could help make Ireland a stimulating, inclusive, healthy and safe place in which to grow old.

Thousands of older people, NGOs and stakeholders have already contributed their time, energy and ideas towards the development of a National Strategy and any new government should make it a priority action. Otherwise, policies and actions will remain haphazard and disconnected.

To be truly effective the strategy must be championed by a Minister for Older People and also underpinned by real resources and clear targets.

For more on this read our submission on the National Positive Ageing Strategy - A Bounty not a Burden - (Download PDF 385kb)