Group seeks Ombudsman for older people

An Ombudsman for older people and improved supports for carers are among a package of measures being sought by Age Action Ireland in a pre-election appeal to political parties.

The organisation, which acts as a network for individuals and groups working with older people, said it wished to see the next government introduce "an action programme to combat age discrimination" in employment and social services. It also called for a new non-means tested "cost of care" payment of €70 a week to all full-time carers.

A number of parties, including the Labour Party and the Greens, have pledged to abolish the means test for the carer's allowance if elected to government. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have both said they would make it easier for people to quality for the existing allowance.

Age Action Ireland emphasised the strength of older people's votes, pointing out that a quarter of the population is aged 50 years or over, and 11.4 per cent 65 or over.

In some constituencies, such as Longford-Roscommon, Donegal South West and Dublin North Central, some 15 per cent of the population is aged 65 or over.

On health care, the organisation said "top priority" should be given to high quality home and community care services, and full rehabilitation services.

"Subventions for nursing homes should be increased and extended to home care services. Current in- equalities between the public and private health services should be abolished," it added.

On income, the organisation said the basic contributory pension should be set at 34 per cent of average industrial earnings.

"All women should have a pension in their own right equal to the old-age non-contributory pension," it added.

The other issues on which the organisation called for action were age discrimination and housing.

It also called for the establishment of a national housing authority, and "an action programme to ensure that no older people live in accommodation with serious physical defects such as dampness or inadequate heating. A range of sheltered hou- sing should be provided by public, private and voluntary bodies."