A strong plea to the Government to combat poverty by increasing the basic social welfare pension by £14 a week, will be made today by the National Association of Widows in Ireland.
The association, which is holding its annual general meeting in Tralee, is also calling on the Government, the health boards and other caring organisations, "to define a system of childcare", its national chairwoman, Ms Sheila Conroy, said.
What is envisaged, she said, is a comprehensive system of childcare with "fully trained staff, that would protect children from those who may set out to abuse them".
The association's demands, couched as a "budget submission" from the 150 delegates attending the agm, also include an appeal for:
health board funding to be increased sufficiently to allow them to provide care for older people
an increase in the "living alone" allowance to £10 per week
a substantial increase in the fuel allowance
The group is also seeking an end to the "injustice handed out" to working widows who pay full PRSI, yet only receive half-benefit if they are in receipt of a full social welfare pension.
The meeting will note with concern the statement made by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Ahern, in effect flagging what could be expected in the 2002 Budget - he had indicated the need for a "prudent budget", given the downturn in the Irish and world economies.
"In the light of this somewhat pessimistic statement, why not have a mini-budget in the six months to follow?" asked Ms Conroy.
Current social welfare policy was not acceptable to members of the association, "who are put to the pin of their collar to survive", she said.