Thousands march against ‘cruel’ cuts

SENIOR citizens from across the Northside joined thousands of protesters in the city centre last week to voice their anger over what they described as

“cruel

? budget cutbacks.

The crowd, estimated at between 7,000-10,000, were protesting over the removal of the phone allowance, an increase in prescription charges, changes to income limits for older medical card holders and the removal of the bereavement grant.

Former journalist and Ballymun resident, Seamus Kelly, attended the protest along with colleagues from the retired members section of the NUJ, including secretary Jim Eadie.

“A number of us turned up to support the thousands of people protesting from all over the country,

? he said.

“I was honoured and privileged to be amongst so many people of my age group and even older, some of whom were suffering from cancer and various disabilities.

“It was tremendous and not one of them were complaining about the weather and we were absolutely drenched at one stage.

?

Mr Kelly is one of the thousands of older people who will be affected by the budget measures, including the increase in prescription charges.

“It’s going to cost me maybe e15 or e20 extra every month, and my wife as well,

? he said.

“Then there’s the telephone allowance, that’s another cut. The medical card is another issue for those people who might be just slightly above the figure.

?

The former editor of Ballymun Concrete News said protesters were particularly disgusted with the abolishment of the bereavement grant, especially as many were already concerned about the impact of the budget on their health.

“As somebody said on the stage, they’re trying to bury us, but we’re not dead yet,

? continued Mr Kelly.

“How could they be so low? That, to a lot of people, is a sacred grant. It’s very, very personal to anybody affected by the loss of a loved one. It’ll just add more pain and grief to what they’ll already be experiencing. I think it’s sick.

“There’s also a lot of nervousness about what’s coming next. There’s a real uncertainty about what’s hidden in the detail. I’m scared about it myself and I know there’s a lot of other people who feel the same.

“They say they’re concerned about people’s health and then they put prescriptions up by e1 but only put 10c on something that damages health, like cigarettes.

?

Eamon Timmins, of Age Action Ireland, said Budget 2014 will cause increased hardship for the most vulnerable of older people.

“We are greatly concerned that our warnings during the pre-budget consultation process have not been listened to and measures that specifically affect the most vulnerable of older people have been introduced,

? he added.

“Older people are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the cumulative impact of a succession of austerity budgets.

“Our concern in the wake of the budget is that the most vulnerable of older people may now be left facing even more difficult choices with dwindling incomes as a result of the budget changes.

?

Amongst those who addressed last week’s rally, called by the Senior Citizens’ Parliament, was SIPTU Retired Members Section secretary, Paddy Moran, who called on those affected by the cuts to draw on the example of the 1913 Lockout.

“One hundred years ago in this city some of its citizens were battered and starved and in some cases lost their lives in the struggle for a decent standard of living for their loved ones,

? he said.

“We here today are the advocates for our generation and we owe it to the memory of those brave people of 1913 to ensure that the vulnerable people in today’s society have a reasonable standard of living and the right to a dignified existence in their remaining years.

?