Taoiseach Enda Kenny has led tributes to popular novelist Maeve Binchy, who has died at the age of 72.

THE ‘Grey Vote’ could dictate the shape of the next government, Age Action said yesterday.

Older people have been systematically denied their rights over 25 years because of a lack of State-funded nursing home beds, a damning watchdog report revealed tonight.

Age Action is organising a mass public meeting for older people to tell politicians what they need in the upcoming Budget.

A GARDA action plan to make elderly residents feel safe in their homes and communities was rolled out across the country.

Ireland’s ageing population was celebrated today as President Mary McAleese paid tribute to a generation who lived through recessions and depressions.

CUTS to health and social services and talk of means- testing the state pension are causing great anxiety for many older people, a leading charity has warned.

THE Government has been accused of dragging its heels in implementing measures to protect vulnerable older people from abuse.

A conference taking place in Dublin today to highlight the problem of elder abuse has heard cricitism of the Government for failing to implement measures to protect vulnerable older people.

SOCIAL welfare recipients will not get a Christmas bonus payment this year while jobseekers under the age of 20 will have their welfare allowance halved to €100 a week.

HUNDREDS of elderly people will be left with “no choice” but to be sent to residential institutions if the Government continues to slash the home help service, a leading advocacy group has warned.

CONFUSION surrounds the roll-out of the nursing home Fair Deal scheme, with advocates of the elderly warning only the very sick or frail may be able to secure beds under current plans.

TOUGH new laws are needed to crack down on the growing problem of elder abuse according to national lobby group for the aged, Age Action Ireland.

Around 85% of abuse against the elderly takes place in the home, it emerged today.

The Taoiseach today urged unions to be realistic about wage demands as he began the difficult task of brokering consensus with employers.

PENSION increases in the budget are not enough to insulate many older people from rising food and fuel prices, Age Action has warned.

AGE ACTION, the national group on ageing and older people, called yesterday for a €35 increase in the state pension in next month’s budget to help tackle pensioner poverty.

IT REALLY only does take one person to change a light bulb but if you’re getting on in age and unsteady on your feet, that can be one too many.

OLDER workers have called for the mandatory retirement age to be lifted following the publication of research into the needs of older people.

A PICTURE says a thousand words but seeing a 73-year-old body-boarder may leave the viewer lost for them.

Age Action Ireland is urging politicians to consider issues affecting older people during the election campaign.

A RURAL transport charter to help combat the social isolation of people living in rural areas has been launched.

The most vulnerable people in society are swept aside in the run-up to an election, it was claimed today.

Forty thousand information packs are being made available from today to help older people take the necessary steps to keep warm this winter.

SOME 16,300 pensioners are experiencing “fuel poverty”, where more than 10% of household income is spent on keeping the home warm.

THE Irish Human Rights Commission has warned that some of the worst human rights abuses in Irish society are found in the treatment of older people in long-term residential care.

The private sector is being encouraged to allow staff who reach the age of 65 to stay on in the workplace for as long as they remain capable of performing their duties

Demonstrators will protest outside the Dáil later today against 'ageism' in Irish society.

Age Action Ireland are today holding a phone-in to coincide with the UN's international day on ageing.