Pensions increase in bid to woo older voters
Finance Minister Brian Cowen’s budget fulfilled a long-standing commitment to push the weekly State pension past €200 in a move seen as an attempt to woo the ‘grey vote’. Yesterday’s increase to just over €209 is over double the €99 rate of a decade ago.
Other measures to benefit the over-65s Mr Cowen announced included significant tax breaks.
The latest (2002) Census showed there are 436,000 people in Ireland aged 65 and over. This is 11% of the population but that level is predicted to reach 15% by 2021. Older people are also traditionally more likely to vote in elections than most other age groups.
An ‘Older and Bolder’ campaign aims to lobby for the rights of older people in advance of the General Election. The campaign is spearheaded by Age Action Ireland, Age and Opportunity, the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and Senior Help Line.
Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said: “It’s derogatory to label older people as ‘the grey vote’ because they need to be listened to and cannot be taken for granted by any political party. The grey vote will not be easily bought.”
Despite the recent political scandal over standards in nursing homes, he said only 5% of over-65s are esidents of such facilities. “The majority are cared for at home by their families and this is why supports were needed in this budget for carers and community care services.”
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament said society must recognise and respect the rights of all older people.
Chief executive Michael O’Halloran said: “We want a society where all ages are respected equally.”
The Older and Bolder campaign has called for:
A dedicated minister for older people.
An ombudsman’s office to protect the rights of over-65s.
Age-proofing of all Government policies.
New flexible models of retirement to replace mandatory retirement at 65.
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