ALONE welcome new government’s measures to support older people
ALONE hopeful that new government will implement services and housing options for older people
Dublin, 6th May 2016 ALONE has welcomed new measures aimed at supporting older people that have been detailed in the programme for government. The incoming government has committed to an increase in the State pension and the living-alone allowance as well as a reduction in the cost of medicine and cutting the prescription charge for medical card holders, along with many more new measures.
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, commented “ALONE welcomes the incoming government’s new measures to support older people. We hope that in the lifetime of this government that services in the community and housing options for older people will be developed and implemented. These issues featured in the general election manifestos of all the political parties and were widely supported by the independent candidates.”
He continued, “Every year Ireland has 20,000 additional older people and every year the issues around housing and services for older people grow in severity. This new government needs to act now to plan for our ageing demographic. We know what works and we know what older people need but we don’t have the resources to tackle this alone. We look forward to working with the government to put in place measure to support our ageing population and to make these improvements to the lives of older people a reality.”
Moynihan concluded, “We welcome the proposal to appoint a Minister for Housing and we are also asking for a Minister for our Ageing Demographic.”
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032.
