Tipperary TD lobbied on need for fair budget for older people

Tipperary TD, Mattie McGrath, was among a group of 52 TDs and Senators who met with older people at an event in Dublin, in advance of Budget 2019.

The event, A Fair Budget 2019?  -  A Conversation with Older People, was facilitated by Active Retirement Ireland, Age Action and ALONE.  Among the issues raised by attendees were;

• The need for urgent action on pensions and benefits

• The increasing number of older people experiencing housing difficulties and homelessness,

• Chronic shortfalls in health coverage for older people and homecare

• Loneliness

The discussion with the TDs was a lively affair as older people engaged face to face with policy makers.  At a time of year when interest groups and lobbyists are preparing pre-budget submissions, these older people decided to come together and make their case directly to the politicians. 

The goal of the event is to give politicians a real insight into the lives of older people living in Ireland.  There are many reports written and policy documents submitted on the issues faced by older people, but this event personalised the issues to make policy makers aware of the real struggles and views of people who will be directly impacted by Budget 2019. 

Grainne Kenny, attended the event:

“I appreciate the opportunity given to us older citizens to talk directly to politicians about issues which concern our welfare. Too often older people are disregarded and our voices are blown in the wind. We want to live independently for as long as possible. We have and do contribute to the State and are not a burden. Therefore, a fair budget is a key enabler in making that happen.”

Thank you to ALONE, Age Action and Active Retirement Ireland for making this happen,”

Maureen Kavanagh, CEO, Active Retirement Ireland:

"When people think of the Budget and older people they automatically think of the State Pension, and it's vital that this safety net for older people is increased and strengthened in the face of a rising cost of living. As important as pensions and benefits are, there's more to life and to growing older in Ireland. Loneliness is a serious risk factor for older people and we want to see the Government act decisively to tackle this."

Age Action, Interim CEO Anna McCabe:

“Home support services in Ireland continue to be piecemeal and under resourced right across the country. There is huge variation in access to primary care and social services for older people in Ireland. This can have a devastating effect on older people and their families, many of whom struggle to pay for their medication and associated medical costs. We hope to see Sláintecare adequately resourced in the forthcoming Budget to expand affordable GP and primary services to all.”

ALONE CEO, Sean Moynihan. 

“Budget 2019 is an opportunity to take meaningful steps towards remedying the housing challenges faced by older people,” said ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan. “ALONE are meeting more and more older people who are struggling to maintain their homes. 25% of older people have difficulties with housing maintenance and nearly 21% have housing facility problems. Housing issues are the second most common problem faced by older people who come to ALONE. We believe it is vitally important that the funding for the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme increases to €84.5 million per year to match the growing numbers of older people in Ireland.”