Dec 5, 2012:

Active Retirement Ireland Reaction to Budget 2013

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) has expressed concern about the impact which today's (05.12.12) Budget measures will have on the most vulnerable older people particularly in relation to the 200 per cent increase in the prescription charge for medical card holders from 50c to €1.50.

 

Speaking in the wake of the Budget announcement, Maureen Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Active Retirement Ireland, said: "We have to question the Government's commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society when it is this group that will hit by the 200 per cent increase in the prescription charge for medical card holders. We feel the Government has failed to prioritise savings in this sector and is just passing on an unfair burden to those who can least afford it."

 

"While we have recently seen a reduction in some drug prices after a deal was agreed with pharmaceutical companies; a report commissioned by the Department of Health last month indicates that commonly used medicines cost up to 24 times more in this country than they do in New Zealand. Older people are already paying more for their medication than their counterparts in comparable countries and now the Government is asking them to pay more again."

 

Active Retirement Ireland also criticised the cuts to the Household Benefits Package. "A reduction of the telephone allowance to about €9.50 a month will affect many older people's contact with the outside world and the reduced rate of electricity and gas allowance is frightening on the eve of what is forecasted to be a cold winter. These changes, coupled with the increase in carbon tax and the introduction of the property tax will mean the most vulnerable older people will be faced with rising charges, and many will continue to struggle to make ends meet."

 

The organisation welcomed that the state pension was not cut given that it is often the only source of income for older people who have completed their working life and are now outside the labour force. Similarly, the decision to maintain the free travel scheme which is one of the key facilitators of social engagement for Ireland's older population was welcomed by the organisation.

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