Representatives for elderly to push medical card issue

ELDERLY representatives are expected today to reject the means test of the medical card and push for a campaign to restore its universal availability for those aged 70 years or over.

The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament annual meeting will debate a number of motions including the “outrageous attack on a vulnerable section of people” with the change in the medical card system.

Other issues raised at meetings today will include demands for free medical examinations for driving licence purposes for drivers aged 70 and over as well as for an increase in special diet allowance supplements for the sick or those with special medical conditions.

Calls will also be made for the allocation of more social workers for the elderly, with signs of increasing elder abuse in society.

The elderly parliament’s chief executive Máiread Hayes said members were very upset over the medical card changes. There had also been lots of confusion since changes were introduced this year over people using cards or not, added Ms Hayes.

“People were gobsmacked when it happened. There is huge anger about it.”

On the issue of elder abuse, Ms Hayes said only in recent years had members begun to debate the topic.

Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay will speak at the meetings, comparing the issues of rights between children and the elderly. Another scheduled speaker is Fr Sean Healy of the Conference of the Religious of Ireland. Fr Healy is expected to speak about the recent three budgets.

Other issues which will be raised during debates will include the abolition of the Christmas bonus, outlined in last week’s budget.