Call to protect older people

Proposed budget cuts could “set back by decades” the rights of older people and undermine their ability to live independently at home, advocacy group Age Action said today.

The group today began a petition calling on the Government to protect in December's budget key supports which help older people to “live with dignity in their own homes” .

Proposed budget cuts could have “profound and lasting effects” on current and future generations of older people, Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said.

“We believe that older people, after decades working and paying their taxes, should be entitled to live with dignity,” he said. “This campaign is not just for older people, but affects everyone who intends to grow older in Ireland."

The call comes as Coalition tensions flared over whether wealthier pensioners should be subject to cutbacks or new taxes as December’s budget approaches.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton last night admonished Minister for State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes for suggesting that she examine the need to target “well-off” pensioners.

There have also been suggestions that the Government is considering changes to the free travel scheme for older people.

The IMF last week criticised as unsustainable the cost of pensions and medical cards for the over 70s.

Mr Webster noted that the cutbacks being considered follows the curtailment of homecare supports and increases to gas and electricity prices which have already impacted on the “poorest and sickest” older people.