Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to contribute to tonight's motion as it gives us all the opportunity rightly to acknowledge the immense contribution our elderly citizens have made to this country. Their contribution to the State cannot be overlooked or underestimated. They have helped drag us through not one but two terribly difficult recessions. They have watched the face of Ireland change from a small rural-based island to a leading international hub. Nothing would have been possible without their hard work and support.

I am proud that this Government is committed to our older citizens. However, more can always be done and I ask the Minister of State to ensure we continue to prioritise and do our best for our elderly parents, grandparents and pensioners. The State pension is a lifeline for the elderly. Safeguarding this has been a key priority for the Government. However, as the number of pensioners is gradually rising, I urge the Minister of State to continue to safeguard its role and ensure the continued expenditure allocation for it. Increasing the living alone allowance last year was a very welcome move.

The last time it was increased was in 1996.

Isolation and the lack of supports can make daily living for an elderly person extremely lonely and difficult. I cannot over-emphasise the key role the household benefits package and the Christmas bonus play. As we steer the country out of recession and into recovery, I ask the Minister to look at restoring the Christmas bonus fully. It goes a long way in many elderly households and such a move would be greatly welcomed by all.

Mobility ensures social inclusion for many elderly people who otherwise would have no daily contact other than with their local postman or postwoman. Hailing from Galway, I have seen first-hand the many benefits the free travel scheme has brought in both rural and urban areas. I see pensioners using their free travel pass on a daily basis to get from Milltown to Galway and even to take day-trips to Dublin and further afield. Only last week I welcomed the Dún Laoghaire senior citizens group to Leinster House. They are a wonderful example of how the elderly should be living. They are active, involved in the community and enjoying life as they should be after their many years of contributing to the State. The free travel pass, the living alone allowance and the State pension help to provide for and ensure their continued involvement in the community.

I have been to social inclusion week events throughout the constituency of Dún Laoghaire and it is heart-warming to see the events and activities organised, the creative initiatives and the groups in place, all with an age-friendly focus. They are a credit to the constituency. Last month Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council held an age-friendly consultation process so as to help to draft a comprehensive age-friendly strategy. The aim is to ensure the constituency of Dún Laoghaire is a great place in which to grow old. I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative and will do my very best to work with all elderly groups and communities to ensure their voices are met and their needs are met at both local and national level.

I welcome this debate. I am confident that the Minister and the Government will continue to support and give back to the bedrock of our society - the elderly.

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