Oct 13, 2015:
Active Retirement Welcomes Increases, But warns Government over Buying Votes
13th October, 2015: “As a vote-buying exercise, this Budget falls short and older people are in danger of being left behind as the economy recovers.” - Peter Kavanagh, Head of Communications & Public Affairs with Active Retirement Ireland.
Active Retirement Ireland (ARI), the country’s largest community based older people’s organisation, has today welcomed the increase in the State Pension and to the Christmas Bonus and Household Benefits Package, but has warned the Government that partial restoration of benefits does not amount to buying votes.
“Older people have taken cuts that amount to about €13 per week over successive budgets. While a partial restoration of benefits is welcome, and will help keep some older people out of consistent poverty, we want to be clear that this is not a giveaway budget for all older people,” said Peter Kavanagh, “This increase in the State Pension falls short of what we were calling on the Government to give, put is a welcome and progressive move to cope with increased demands on a limited income.”
He continued: “Once you factor in the property tax and water charges, older people are still worse off than they were in 2009, the worst year of the recession in this country. The cost of living has also increased for older people and services that they rely on have been badly affected, leading to knock-on costs. Rural transport links, post offices, Garda stations and local bank branches are all closing, which makes it more difficult for older people to remain in their communities. Any government should realise that older people being forced to remain in hospitals or long-term care facilities is far more expensive to the State than an older population which is supported to stay healthy and active within their own communities. The living alone allowance still does not come close to meeting the increased financial demands on a person who is suddenly paying the same bills, but with half the income.”
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