This is a three page summary of ALONE’s 2024 Pre-Budget Submission, which highlights the main budget asks to the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of the Taoiseach. Additionally, it includes details of the financial issues older people are experiencing as part of ALONE’s most recent survey.
Key policy asks include an €18 increase in the pension for 2025, a €10 increase in the living alone allowance, a €7.50 increase in the telephone support allowance, and a €10 increase in the fuel allowance. Other priorities are simplifying the application process for entitlements, creating an action plan to address loneliness, establishing budget and funding for Housing with Support, boosting funding for the Home Support service, ensuring adequate mental health funding for older adults, increasing funding for housing adaptation grants, improving the funding mechanism for Housing with Support, setting up an emergency energy poverty fund, and developing and funding the role of a Commissioner for Older People.