Sir, - Ireland is now officially a rich country. Everyone in the country has helped in some way to create the wealth, and the politicians are now asking us to vote so that they can decide how the money is to be spent and who is to get it. If they want our vote, we want a commitment from them: that a share of the wealth must be devoted to making available the basic requirements of health, safety and shelter and for the young, the vulnerable and the old. As follows:
1) Social Services to have the full resources to provide 24 hour shelters, with day centres, for women who need protection and justice. 2) All senior citizens should automatically be eligible for medical cards. 3) When a senior citizen applies for subvention for residential care, the only income to be taken into consideration should be that of the applicant. 4) Daycare centres, run by the local health board, to be attached to all residential homes for the aged, particularly in rural areas. 5) Full human rights restored to mental patients, in regard to property, financial affairs and personal relationships. 6) Freedom of movement (i.e. proper footpaths and cyclelanes) for pedestrians and cyclists in town and country. 7) Freedom for children: properly supervised playgrounds in every residential area. 8) Implement the pilot study of measuring/valuing women's unwaged work, in consultation with women's groups. - Yours etc
(Social Affairs Panel,
National Women's Council of Ireland), on behalf of:
(member of Health Panel)
(member of Education Panel)
(member of Work Panel)
(member of Management Committee)
(Clare Women's Traditional
Music Group),
(Attic Community Drama),
(Women in Media and
Entertainment),
(Women in Media and Entertainment).
St Bridget's Place Lower,
Galway.