Call to raise tax to tackle ‘grey boom’

MONEY generated from increased taxation should be ring-fenced to meet the growing medical needs of Ireland’s ageing population, according to a leading geriatric consultant.

Dr Cillian Twomey said one-in-four people will be aged over 65 by 2020 and our ageing population will require more resources.

“People believe we are paying enough already in taxation, but I also believe that as a society we want to see our older people properly cared for and perhaps putting protected funding in place to meet their medical needs is something we should look at,” he said.