Unfair share of austerity for elderly

As cathaoirleach of Cloich Ceann Faola branch of Pobal ar Aire (Community Watch) I find the cut to the phone allowance a regressive step in more ways than one.

It will surprise no-one that this government is going the extra mile in making life difficult for the most vulnerable, and you will not get more vulnerable than elderly people living alone. The constant fear and threat of assault and robbery remains to the forefront of their thoughts, as the long lonely nights of winter approach. Getting a good night’s sleep will be almost impossible, due to hearing noises, imagined or not, outside.

There have been a number of break-ins and robberies in our area over the past few months and no-one has as yet appeared in front of a judge for these crimes.