Dear Editor,
It is clear that cutting Ireland’s pension bill is very much ‘on the table’ in December’s Budget so we need to make clear to the decision makers and the wider public what impact such a policy would have on older people.
Older people have already absorbed a two per cent cut with the loss of the Christmas Bonus last year and are now facing prescription charges, a carbon tax, and increased dental charges, not to mention the steady erosion of community and home care services.
The country is in a financial crisis and adjustments must be made, however, it is imperative that these are borne by those most able to afford them and that vulnerable groups in society including pensioners are protected. Eighty-four per cent of older people aged 65-74 years rely on social transfers, including the State pension, to protect them against the risk of poverty, and eighty nine per cent of older people aged 75 years and over rely on social transfers, including the State Pension, to protect them against the risk of poverty.
Throughout the year Older & Bolder has been working hard to protect pensions, and this lobby weekend and petition are an essential part of our campaign. Older people are managing on a very modest income and any changes to the State Pension will have an enormous impact on their lives. It is vital that no further cuts are made in December’s Budget. Older & Bolder is urging anybody concerned that pensions will be cut to join our ‘Defend the State Pension Campaign’.
We will be running a nationwide lobby this weekend (November 4-6 ) to ‘Defend the State Pension’ and are asking people in Mayo to join the campaign, to go to their local TDs clinics to discuss their concerns and to sign our petition either online or by calling our offices on 01 8783623. Further information www.olderandbolder.ie
Thank you
Patricia Conboy, project director, Older & Bolder.
Older & Bolder is an alliance of eight of the country’s leading organisations representing and working with older people. Members are Active Retirement Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Carers Association, Irish Hospice Foundation, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, the Older Women’s Network, and the Senior Help Line.
