Older & Bolder highlight 5 election priorities for older people and for Ireland [09/02/11]

The Older & Bolder alliance today (Wednesday, 9 February) set out five priorities which parties and candidates must address if they are to win older people’s votes.
The ‘High Five’ priorities include Fairer Health Care, Secure Pensions, Improved Local Transport, Greater Involvement for older citizens and the long-overdue delivery of Ireland’s National Positive Ageing Strategy.  They represent the shared views and concerns of the eight organisations within the Older & Bolder alliance: Active Retirement Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Carers Association, Irish Hospice Foundation, Older Women’s Network, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Senior Helpline. 

Speaking at the launch of the ‘High Five’ Election Toolkit , which will be shared with thousands of older people across Ireland, Older & Bolder Director, Patricia Conboy, stated that “these High Five issues are not only critical for older people but also for people of all ages in Ireland. The policy choices we make in the next few years will help shape the kind of country we’re going to rebuild and will also define the kind of people we are in 2011 and beyond.”

Older & Bolder are encouraging older people throughout the country to “raise the issues of Fairer Health Care, Secure Pension, Local Transport, Greater Involvement and a National Plan for Ageing with all of the parties and candidates asking for their vote on 25 February next.”

On the issue of fairer health care, Ms Conboy stated “We are asking the parties to support a universal, high quality, properly planned and funded system of health and social care. Access to health and social care is too often affected by factors such as age, availability of insurance, medical card status and even geographic location. Older & Bolder believes there is 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 and mental health services right through to quality end-of-life care.”

Referring to the 43,000 citizens of all ages who joined the Older & Bolder’s recent campaign to protect the State Pension and basic supports, Ms Conboy reaffirmed the importance of long-term commitment to a fair and secure pension system for all. “Any new government must offer a firm guarantee to protect the State Pension and other essential supports like Household Benefits Package from direct or indirect cuts – such as the unfair impacts of the new Universal Social Charge.”

Turning to transport, Ms. Conboy emphasised that “accessible and affordable local transport is a lifeline that many older people rely on to link with family and community -The Free Travel and Rural Transport Schemes must be maintained and improved and the many gaps in the system, particularly in rural areas. Investment in public transport not only promotes older peoples independence and participation but also support local and rural economies.” 

Ms. Conboy stated that “when there is greater participation of older people in all aspects of Irish life –everyone benefits.  The important work of organisations who promote greater engagement for  older people in all civic, public and cultural life, should be matched by a genuine commitment from political parties and practical steps to take account of older people’s opinions on the  issues that affect all our lives.”

One way in which that commitment needs to be demonstrated is through delivery of Ireland’s long overdue National Positive Ageing Strategy. Ms. Conboy stated “Older people know the importance of planning – that is why they want delivery of a National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS) –something that all parties committed to back in 2007. Thousands of older people have already contributed their time, energy and ideas towards this plan and any new Government must make its implementation a priority.”

Patricia Conboy concluded by saying that Older & Bolder would be campaigning for a commitment from all political parties on each of these priorities. She encouraged people of all ages to put these issues to candidates or canvassers from all parties and to consider answers carefully when voting on February 25th.   ‘High Five’ Election Toolkits are available from Older & Bolder at olderandbolder.ie.dedi2560.your-server.de or call 01-8783623.