THE Minister for Social Welfare Mr De Rossa, has promised financial support for the Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, a body formed at a meeting in Dublin on Saturday. It will act as a co ordinating group for about loo bodies representing elderly and retired people.
Mr De Rossa told the meeting that his Department and the Department of Health would provide financial support but he was not yet able to give details of this.
The President, Mrs Robinson, attended the inaugural meeting and praised the initiative.
The draft programme has among its aims to establish links with Government and other State agencies and make representations "which may improve the quality of life for senior citizens".
Mr Paddy Donegan, of SIPTU's retired staff association and a farmer chairman of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, was elected president. Ms Eithne Karney, of Kells Active Retirement Association, is vice president. Other officers are: Mr Peter Sands, of the retired workers' committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions - secretary; and Ms Mary Ryan, Wexford Services Council - treasurer.