Older & Bolder urges Government to ensure that needs of vulnerable Older people are protected in Tuesday's Mini Budget [05/04/09]

The Older and Bolder campaign has today (Sunday, 5 April) urged the Government to ensure that the needs of vulnerable older people are protected in next Tuesday's Mini Budget. The campaign was responding to persistent calls by some employers' groups and economists to cut social welfare by as much as 3% in the Mini Budget.

Older and Bolder's Project Director, Patricia Conboy said that the campaign's eight member organisations - 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 - acknowledge the gravity of the problems that are now facing us in Ireland and want to play their part in resolving the crisis that the Government is grappling with.

"In turn, we want the Government to protect the welfare of the most vulnerable groups of older people in next week's Budget. In this context, it's 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 could have a devastating impact on older people."

Patricia Conboy emphasised that the members of the Older and Bolder alliance believe that Government must safeguard in the Mini Budget:

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 even 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.

When gaps open up in families or services, older people frequently step into the breach providing help and support as grandparents, spouses, carers and friends. Indeed, data from the Central Statistics Office shows that 15% of older people are involved in voluntary work in their communities. Yet despite this they are often portrayed as a drain on limited national resources.

"At Older and Bolder's regional consultation meetings held with older people over recent months, the participants have highlighted priorities for action that do not carry a price tag: the love of family and friends; opportunities for involvement in their communities; access to groups and networks for friendship and connection; secure homes and neighbourhoods; and independence.

"Older people's needs can be met ‘economically' but we require a long-term plan that recognises the links between economic and social development. There is an economic, social and political case for a coherent, planned and long-term approach to population ageing. That case is even stronger in a time of recession. That is why Older and Bolder has consistently campaigned for the development and implementation of a National Positive Ageing Strategy," Patricia Conboy stated.

Ms Conboy also expressed concern at the Government's extreme slowness in delivering on its promise in the 2007 Programme for Government to develop a National Positive Ageing Strategy. She said that the campaign will be working with its eight member organisations to mobilise thousands of older people to ensure that the Government delivers on its commitment.

"In the run-up to the last General Election, over 30,000 older people called on all of the parties and the incoming Government to commit to the development of a National Positive Ageing Strategy. Through our campaign, all of the parties gave such a commitment and this was followed through in the 2007 Programme for Government. However, the process since then has been painfully slow," Patricia Conboy said.

"As recently as last December, the Minister for Older People, Maire Hoctor TD, promised that the public consultation on the strategy would get underway in early 2009. So far there is no sign of it and there is no evidence of official vigour and enthusiasm for the preparation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy," Patricia Conboy concluded.

Notes to Editor

Older and Bolder is an alliance of eight non-governmental organisations in the ageing sector that 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.