Older & Bolder says cuts to State Pension would be Indefensible [16/07/09]

Cuts to welfare and social supports would have a devastating impact on older people

The Older and Bolder campaign has today (Thursday, 16 July) stated that any cuts to the State pension would be indefensible. The campaign was responding to suggestions that the An Bord Snip Nua report is to recommend the inclusion of the State pension in the cuts of €1.5 billion from the social welfare budget.

Older and Bolder’s Project Director, Patricia Conboy said that any cuts to welfare and social supports would have a devastating impact on older people.

"Currently the weekly rate for contributory pension is €230.30 and the weekly rate for non contributory is €219 and €229 for those aged over 80. These are by no means princely sums and when you consider that the at risk of poverty rate for older people is 16.6%, certain vulnerable groups of older people simply cannot afford to give more.

"Similarly it is worth bearing in mind that without the social supports provided by Government to older people, over 86% of older people would be at risk of poverty. This situation is even worse for older people living alone, where 96% would be at risk of poverty without the social supports from Government. Clearly then, any cuts to welfare and social supports would significantly increase the risk of poverty and have a devastating impact on older people.

The Older and Bolder alliance believes that Government must safeguard:

The State Pension;
Community care services; and
The benefits and allowances that assist people to remain living at home and involved in their families and communities.

Referring to community care services, Patricia Conboy said that these services are already thinly spread and targeted at vulnerable older people who will be at greater risk of admission to acute hospitals or long-stay residential care if those supports are removed. She said that both of these options will cost more to the State in the long run.

"Older people have contributed to our society as young and middle-aged adults and they continue to do so as older adults. They have already experienced the severe economic conditions of the 1950’s and 1980’s and paid the penal taxes of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Now in the latter years of their life, they are being subjected to more financial difficulty and hardships."

Note to Editor

Older and Bolder is an alliance of eight non-governmental organisations in the ageing sector who are committed to a joint campaign for the development and implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The members of the alliance, who work with and represent thousands of older people, are: Active Retirement Ireland, Age and Opportunity, Age Action Ireland Ltd., Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Carers Association, Irish Hospice Foundation, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Senior Helpline. Older and Bolder’s vision is of an Ireland that affirms ageing and the rights of all older people, enabling all of us to live with confidence and dignity as equal, respected and involved members of society as we age.

Figures Used are the most up to date stats on risk of poverty are in Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2007 (published in December 2008 by CSO).