A NORTHSIDE councillor is calling on the Government to provide more support to the elderly who are missing out on vital savings that can be made by paying bills online. Howth Malahide ward councillor Judy Dunne (Lab) made the call after hosting a Senior Citizens’ Forum in Portmarnock.
“As someone with a background in consumer affairs, I know that older people are being excluded from many savings on their household and utility bills,
? Cllr Dunne told Northside People.
“Many companies are offering greater discounts to customers who pay their bills online. But with over 50 per cent of our older population unable to use the internet, many are losing out on these crucial savings.
“It is particularly problematic because many of our older population are on a limited income and these savings would be invaluable to them.
“Many are balancing their incomes between basic necessities such as keeping their houses warm or paying bills, with little disposable income left over.
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Cllr Dunne is urging the Government to provide more digital skills courses to elderly people so they will be better equipped to access these discounts and special offers that are exclusively found online.
“My colleague, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has made great progress in getting higher numbers of elderly people – so-called
‘silver surfers’ – skilled in online use, through the Benefit4Skills courses that are being delivered through his department,
? she added.
“Funding for these needs to be increased and greater awareness of them raised generally.
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Austin McCoy, chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association, Santry, said he and his fellow members were aware of the savings that could be made online.
“There is a large number of elderly people living in this area and they would be delighted to avail of these savings especially in the current economic climate,
? Mr McCoy told Northside People.
“However, we have to be cautious as you hear stories of people being duped, and that’s not just the elderly, so you can understand why there might be a reluctance for older people to go down the online route. They are intelligent enough (to go online) but there is a fear factor there.
“When the elderly pay their bills in the post office with cash, they are given a receipt and there is peace of mind in knowing that the bill has been paid.
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Mr McCoy added:
“Age Action run very good online courses and I would certainly encourage the elderly to investigate them.
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Eamon Timmins, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Age Action, said there is a wide range of services which are cheaper online or where discounts are given to reward those who do their business using paperless billing.
“These range from banks and financial institutions, to utility companies and other service providers,
? he stated.
“Age Action has been running its Getting Started computer training programme for older people for the last seven years.
“In the last year we have trained over 4,000 first-time computer users. Part of the course includes shopping online and online banking.
“When Getting Started began seven years ago, computer use was a nice thing to be able to do. Now it is quickly becoming an essential skill.
“Our learners talk about the number of advertisements in newspapers, radio and television which no longer provide a contact number or address if you want further information.
“Instead, people are directed to websites, Facebook pages and given email addresses.
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Mr Timmins said older people were right to be cautious about online banking and making online payments.
“A section of the Getting Started course looks at online security,
? he told Northside People.
“This is an important issue for people who are new to the internet. It is important for us all. Training and awareness about online security is essential.
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Every year, Age Action teams up with Google for the
‘Silver Surfer’ Awards, a very successful competition that highlights the difference technology can make in older people’s lives.
“The winners are used to encourage older people to
‘take the plunge’ and take a class,
? added Mr Timmins.
Meanwhile, elderly people can book a place on a Getting Started course by contacting Age Action at 01-4756989 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Their online friends and family can book a place for their loved ones by emailing jglansford@ageaction.ie or gettingstarted@ageaction.ie