A NORTHSIDE residents’ association has given its support to a campaign that is aiming to highlight the needs of senior citizens ahead of the general election.
Chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association in Santry, Austin McCoy, was speaking following the launch of ‘Earn Our Vote’, an alliance of the seven leading Irish organisations and advocacy groups representing older people.
The alliance is calling on politicians to guarantee a ‘living pension’ for older persons and insists that the recovery must take senior citizens out of poverty.
Half a million older voters are being encouraged to question politicians’ commitment to improving their wellbeing.
‘Earn Our Vote’ said there has been considerable discussion in recent months of a ‘Living Wage’ for people in work and they are now calling for the same for older people.
The alliance is calling on politicians to make a commitment to a series of policies that will improve older people’s lives, as follows:
• Appointment of a Cabinet-level Minister for Older People to implement the National Positive Ageing Strategy.
• Support older people to remain healthy and engaged within their communities for longer, through interventions and investment in primary care and care in the community.
• Increase the State Pension and reverse cuts to the Household Benefits Package.
Mr McCoy, who contested the 1987 General Election in the Dublin North Central constituency and was an Independent candidate in the 2014 Local Elections, agreed there are a lot of areas that need to be improved for older persons when the next Government is formed.
He said his association would support the campaign’s call for senior citizens to prioritise candidates who are committed to advancing their interests and improving their lives.
“After the next Government is formed, we would be looking for more facilities for senior citizens, an increase in the pension that is in line with inflation, and vastly improved home care packages,” he said.
“There is also a definite need to support primary care for older persons to help them live independently in their communities.
“The Government would have to put the money up front first for this, but it would save the Exchequer in the long run.”
Mr McCoy, who is part of a team that presents a weekly senior citizens’ programme on NEAR 90.3FM, a community radio station based in Coolock, added: “We would definitely support the call for a senior Cabinet minister for senior citizens. We feel it’s vital that our voices are heard at the very top table of Government.”
The ‘Earn Our Vote’ alliance comprises Active Retirement Ireland, Age Action, Age and Opportunity, ALONE, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Active Ageing Partnership and Third Age Ireland.
The alliance said the difficult cuts of austerity budgets during the recession greatly limited older people’s ability to live independent lives.
“Most older people live on a fixed income and, as such, the imposition of charges and levies had a particularly difficult impact on them,” it said.
“Levies on prescriptions, water charges and others have hit older people hard.”
For more information on the alliance, visit www.earnourvote.ie
