Elderly Galwegians have an opportunity to send a clear message to the Government for its broken promises, according to Fianna Fáil local election candidate for Athenry-Oranmore Cathal Moran.
Mr Moran says the targeted attack on the elderly since the Government assumed office has severely affected their quality of life.
“Many elderly people throughout Galway have watched in horror as the Government cruelly introduced cut after cut that has resulted in many being forced into poverty.
“Elderly people have been brutally betrayed by the Government in recent budget cuts, which Fianna Fáil have vehemently opposed. There is a fairer way to reach our budget targets by progressive taxation, but the Government has ignored the alternative measures put forward by Fianna Fáil.”
Prescription charges have been increased five-fold despite the Minster for Health promising to abolish them, he says. In addition the telephone allowance, which many people in rural areas of Galway relied upon, was abolished, more than one million home care hours were cut, while the Fuel Allowance has been reduced from 32 weeks to 26 weeks, he says.
“How can Government representatives defend the litany of cuts? Even more cynical has been the continuing denial by the Government that medical cards have been targeted over the last 18 months.
“The treatment of elderly people by this Government has been appalling. The Local Elections will present elderly people with an opportunity to have their say on the sustained cuts they have been subjected to, together with new charges such as water and property tax to add to the pile.”
