Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. I tabled a motion on the Order Paper earlier this week about establishing a commission for the status of older people to monitor and oversee progress on issues of particular relevance to older people and to establish a dedicated Department for the elderly with a Minister with responsibility for the elderly appointed by the Government.

Some 11% of the population, 465,000 people, is older than 65. It is projected that by 2026, 17% of the population will be older than 65. In the last general election, 71% of the people aged over 65 voted, whereas less than 38% of people in the 18 to 25 category voted. In reality the older people elect governments, but probably have least say despite the many serious issues affecting them. We all recognise they have contributed significantly throughout their lives to the economic and social development of the country and the prosperity we now enjoy. As a society we owe a duty of care to our older population. It is a true measure of a nation's sense of value that it gives the respect to older people that they deserve.

Combat Poverty Agency has advised that 27% of the older people, 123,000 people, are in the poverty trap and are living on less than €185 per week. The State pension of €185 per week is less than 34% of the average industrial wage. We are the lowest of the OECD countries where the average pension is 68.7% of the average industrial wage, which indicates a significant gap. Many of our older people are now caught in a poverty trap and feel they cannot speak out because of the affluence of today's society. In many opinion polls, the cost of living is identified as the biggest issue for elderly people. While they say so privately in opinion polls, they find it difficult to speak out. When I have attended public meetings involving Age Action Ireland and the older citizens in my constituency, these have been the issues mentioned as causing them great concern.

On many occasions I have spoken in this House about the discrimination in nursing home subventions. In the west a person can get a maximum subvention of €190.50, whereas a person living in Dublin can get €850 per week. I have already received a commitment from the Minister for Health and Children that equalisation of those subvention rates will be introduced. However, a new applicant in County Mayo still cannot get an enhanced subvention. It is a disgrace and needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency. A person qualifying for maximum subvention, who is unlucky enough not to be able to get a public bed and is forced to go into a private nursing home, will only get 30% of the cost of the private nursing home bed, which means many elderly people cannot afford to go into private nursing homes and as a result live at home, often in dreadful circumstances.

The rural transport initiative was a wonderful innovation on the part of the Government but it is not sufficient and needs to be extended. Further public funding must be put in place. Older people recognise it as an excellent service, but in many instances voluntary groups of elderly people are coming together to enhance the service provided.

Access to public services has arisen as a problem, particularly in the context of ageism in the health care area. The maximum age for breast screening is 65 and for cervical screening it is 60. Breast screening is not yet available in the west. When it is introduced, is it correct that the maximum age for the service should be 65?

There is discrimination against elderly people in respect of driving licences and the cost of motor insurance. Travel insurance for a person over the age of 65 is three times that relating to a person under 65.

Many women of my mother's generation who gave up their jobs to look after their children are now retired and have no incomes on their own. Some mechanism must be found to provide people in this category with incomes. Every woman in the country should have an independent income.

There is a need to enhance home help services, home-care packages and night nurse facilities for people who need them. Funding must be given to voluntary groups to assist elderly people. The two biggest complaints from elderly people to the Equality Authority related to insurance costs and the service costs with which these individuals are faced.

I articulated a particular point on a number of recent occasions and I mentioned it to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan. I refer to the adult dependant allowance. A commitment was given in the programme for Government to increase this allowance to 100% of the principal recipient's payment. However, that has not happened. It was also stated that it would, in most cases, be paid to the woman in her own right. The Minister has indicated that he takes the issue seriously and I hope he will announce something in the budget.

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