Waterford Older's People's Council stress the importance of voting for basic needs of pensioners
Waterford Older People’s Council is urging all voters and particularly those retired to use their voting power to call for and highlight the basic needs of pensioners as candidates contest this Friday’s general election.
A spokesperson highlighted that recent proposals to increase the weekly State Pension bringing it up to €350 per week at the end of the next five years would mean a yearly budget increase of €12 per week, which will not support the growing number of older and retired people already under economic pressure.
"A minimum demand by elected candidates forming Government and those in opposition should see pensioners receive a minimum of 34% of the average national wage.
"It is also concerning to Waterford Older People’s Council that occupational pensions can be subject to taxation. We are therefore calling for the taxation bands to be widened for those on Occupational and Social Welfare pensions."
With an excess of 21% of Waterford people over the age of 65 years and a total of 776,315 of that age nationally, according to the 2022 Census, Waterford Older People’s Council is also calling for the appointment of a Commissioner for older people.
It is calling on greater supports for those aged 70 and over providing full-time home care for spouses and relatives within their own home.
Meanwhile, Age Action Ireland have called for a new, comprehensive, all-of-government ageing strategy to address the needs of Ireland's ageing population.
Dr Nat O’Connor, Age Action’s Senior Policy Adviser, said: "The political system is currently failing to prepare for the demographic transition, and while ageing is mentioned by most parties, their manifestos reflect a lack of urgency in relation to Ireland’s demographic transition.”
Age Action has called for the establishment of a Commissioner for Ageing and Older Persons.
Dr O’Connor added, “Ireland needs a new, comprehensive, all-of-government ageing strategy. With a multi-party government being the most likely outcome of this election, we would like all parties to commit to this during the campaign.”
