Age Action has called on the Government to protect Ireland’s most vulnerable older people from cuts in next month’s supplementary budget.
The agency said that while it accepts the country faces a difficult economic situation, certain groups of vulnerable older people cannot afford to contribute any more and should be protected from cuts, both direct and indirect.
In a budget submission sent to Government, Age Action has identified these vulnerable older people as being those who are chronically ill; those on very low incomes; those living alone; those struggling to heat their homes; the isolated living in areas without public transport and not able to drive and the frail who need some support to enable them remain living in their own homes.
Failure to protect these groups from cuts “will result in increased suffering and hardship for some of the most vulnerable people in Ireland,” said Age Action chief executive Robin Webster.
“Government ministers have spoken about their commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, so we are spelling out who the vulnerable are among our older people, and what payments and supports they are depending on.”