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Government must protect vulnerable pensioners in Budget ’09

in
Date published: 
Monday, September 22, 2008
News source: 
Age Action Ireland
Region: 
Republic of Ireland

Age Action today urged the Government to use Budget ’09 to protect the most vulnerable of pensioners in Ireland from the effects of soaring food and fuel prices.

“For pensioners struggling to survive on fixed incomes, and especially those living alone on low incomes, a 55% rise in the price of home heating oil or 27% in the price of milk pose a major challenge,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications told the Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin at the Pre-Budget Forum in Dublin this morning. “Some older people are already planning to reduce either food or fuel this winter  -- a tactic which poses serious dangers for their health.”

Between 1,500 and 2,000 additional older people die during the winter, compared to the summer, due mainly to cold-related problems. 

The Government has repeatedly stated that it will protect the most vulnerable in our community.  In order to do this Age Action said they must  protect the incomes of those at greatest risk.  It is calling for:

  • The means-tested fuel allowance to be increased from €18 to €30 and the 30-week period over which it is paid to be extended;
  • The Living Alone Allowance to be increased from €7.70 to €15.40.  Pensioners living alone are at greatest risk of fuel poverty.  This payment has not been increased since 1996;
  • A €22 increase in the State Pension (Non-Contributory) and a pro-rata increase in the State Pension (Contributory) of €23.15. This would be in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring the State Pension to €300 by 2012.

Age Action also urging the Government to provide adequate funding for essential health and social care services which are needed by some older people if they to continue to live independently in their own homes.  The number of Home Care packages and home help hours have remained static at 2007 levels.  These vital services are being cut back or are non-existent for new applicants around the country, with frail pensioners being told they will have to wait three years and more for home-based support.

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