AFTER enduring seven painful years of austerity Northside senior citizens are pleading with the Government to ease their financial burden in Budget 2015.
One of the main priorities for elderly people ahead of the next budget on October 15 is the restoration of the Christmas bonus.
The Fianna Fail/Green Government in its Supplementary Budget delivered in April 2009, controversially abolished the bonus at the height of the economic crisis.
It was a double payment of a person’s weekly social welfare rate, and an elderly person’s pension, in the lead up to Christmas.
Austin McCoy, chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association in Santry, told Northside People:
“Restoring the Christmas Bonus is a big thing for us, and we would also be calling on the Government to give at least a marginal increase to the State pension.
“We have had to contend with a number of taxes in recent years, including property tax and the bin charges, and now the water charges are coming in.
“A large amount of pensioners rely solely on the State pension and these taxes have had a huge impact on our standard of living.
?
Mr McCoy, who contested the local elections in May as an Independent candidate, added:
“The last seven years has been very tough for senior citizens, among others, and I am urging the Government to alleviate some of the hardship in this budget.
?
Dick O’Leary, from Coolock, described the last seven years as
“very difficult
? and called for a favourable budget from the Government for senior citizens.
“The promises that this Government made before the last general election were outrageous,
? Mr O’Leary told Northside People.
“They rowed back on nearly every single promise and there is no doubt that they let the people down.
“I know of families in the Coolock area who are going without food while they wait for their next payment be it social welfare or the pension. The situation is that serious.
“After we get our pension on the Friday, and then pay our bills, we’re broke by the following Tuesday. And we’re not any different to many other senior citizens.
?
Amid signs that the economy is finally turning around, Mr O’Leary believes this budget would provide the Government with an opportunity to show it cares.
“They could make a start by reinstating the Christmas bonus,
? he said.
“That was one of the most important things that was taken away from us and did a lot of damage.
“They also took back the telephone allowance which was a lifeline for the elderly, while the charge on prescriptions was also a heavy burden for senior citizens to have to deal with.
“Out of my own pension, I have to pay a charge of between
?¬22 and
?¬25 per month for my medication.
?
Mr O’Leary is so angered by the litany of cuts and the introduction of taxes in recent years that he is
“seriously considering
? contesting the next general election as an Independent candidate.
“Even though I’m in the autumn of my life, it’s something I have thought about it, and I mean it most sincerely,
? he stated.
“In my opinion, the money the TDs are on is disgraceful. If I were elected, I would only take the wage of an ordinary person and donate the remainder to Brother Kevin Crowley who runs the Capuchin Day Centre. I would be a voice for the poor.
?
?¢Austin McCoy and his team present the Senior Citizens’ Programme on Coolock-based community radio station NEAR90.3FM every Monday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Local senior citizens are given the opportunity to air the issues that affect them, including the budget.