Ms Mary Murphy:

I agree with most of what has been said. The situation for older persons in the private rental sector crystallises a lot of the issues facing older persons in Ireland in general. Reference was made to people developing additional care needs as they age. Never mind the problems or difficulties facing homeowners who try to get adaptations, if one is in the private rental sector and one suddenly needs wheelchair access I do not know what options are available. Similarly, if one has additional needs for heating, it is very difficult for a homeowner but it can be even more complicated for a person in the private rental sector. One of the issues this raises for us is the importance of the pension, which is the bedrock of income for older persons. We must protect that and ensure that, as people have longer working lives and are able and empowered to stay in employment, which is great - we fully support it, which is the reason we advocated for the abolition of mandatory retirement - we do not have a situation whereby older persons are remaining in work into their 70s or older because they have no other options. We want pull factors. We want them to want to contribute to society, to maintain social relationships, continue to grow as people and to learn. We want all these things, but we do not want people to work because they have no other option. The situation will deteriorate if people are in the private rental sector and the sector is not changed radically in how it is regulated and in terms of the protections for tenants. Similarly, if the pension is not improved and does not provide people with adequate incomes the situation will also deteriorate.