Older & Bolder closed June 2013 This is an archived website
Response from the Green Party
18th February 2011
Dear Patricia,
Thank you for your correspondence in relation to issues facing older people. The Green Party recognises the significant contributions of older persons to society, as citizens, as workers (paid and unpaid), as family members and as members of the wider community. I have outlined below the Green Party’s commitment to older people which is included in our manifesto.
The following are our answers to your specific queries.
The completion and implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy
The Green Party is committed to publishing the Positive Ageing Strategy and we commit to providing a timetable for the implementation of its agreed recommendations.
A fair and secure pension system for all citizens now and into the future
The Green Party has pledged to ensure no further cuts to the state pension. The Green Party believes that the overarching purpose of pension policy should be to help older persons to live in retirement with dignity, security and a good quality of life. In line with the National Pensions Framework, we will support the standardisation of tax relief on pension contributions. We will introduce an optional second tier contributory pension scheme based on contributions from workers, employers and the State. The Green Party will give workers options at the pensionable age, where they can choose to accept a full pension; choose to work part time and receive a part pension; or continue to work full time with a special tax relief. We will cap state pensions at a rate of no more than twice the average industrial wage, or €75,000.
A universal, single-tier system of health and social care to which access is on the basis of need and contribution is on the basis of ability to pay.
The Green Party has a vision for healthcare in Ireland. We believe that healthcare services are a human right. This means that everyone, rich or poor, young or old should have fair access to a decent public health service. Healthcare should depend on what we need, not on what insurance we have, how much we earn, who we know or where we live. The Green Party will initiate a public debate which consults all relevant stakeholders, including patients’ representatives, public representatives and health professionals regarding the establishment of a single tiered healthcare.
The Green Party believes that the sustainability of our health care system lies in the continued development of primary care teams. We believe healthcare should be based in the community, at a local level where everyone is registered with a primary care team and where we can get our primary healthcare needs attended to locally. The Green Party will adopt a community based approach allowing us to grow old and to die with dignity in our own communities, supporting active retirement and hospice outreach.
The implementation of an age friendly transport strategy, including rural transport
Proper planning for our communities, including accessible and affordable transport, lies at the heart of Green Party policy. We will work towards the implementation of an age friendly transport strategy.
In relation to rural transport, we will retain funding for the Rural Transport Scheme and work with transport providers for an integrated rural transport network to ensure that all communities have at least a minimum daily service, proportionate to their population and connecting where feasible with other transport modes. The Green Party will streamline funding from the HSE, the Department of Education, the Department of Community, Equality and Rural Affairs to integrate rural bus services and avoid duplication of services. We will seek reciprocity with other EU countries for free or low-cost public transportation. The Green Party has a vision for transport in Ireland and this is outlined in our Ten Point Plan for a sustainable, energy secure transport system that will meet the needs of our existing population and future generations for years to come.
The promotion of older people’s participation in all aspects of life, and notably in accountable and transparent decision-making structures for policies, programmes and services that affect their lives.
The Green Party has a vision where older people can actively engage and participate in Irish society and where they can voice their concerns about issues that directly affect them in their daily lives. The Green Party is fully committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the decision making processes that shape the lives of our older persons are fully accountable and transparent.
We launched our General Election Manifesto on Friday, 11th February where we set out our plans on a wide range of issues. To download a copy of our Manifesto and other Green Party policy documents please log onto http://vote.greenparty.ie/manifesto
Best Wishes,
John Gormley TD
Green Party Leader
