Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank the Leader, Senator O'Rourke, for facilitating this debate during Say No To Ageism week. I am sure the Minister of State will agree this has been has been one of the most interesting debates to have been held in this House. Every speaker has pushed out the boat and we are all agreed that a new approach to ageing is needed. The Equality Authority, as one of the sponsors of Say No To Ageism week, has pointed out that the two main complaints it receives from older people concern higher insurance costs and service provisions. Ageism is at play in both instances.

A semi-State body, VHI, charges those aged 64 or under a worldwide travel insurance charge of €49 but that charge increases to €149 for those turning 65. This black and white discriminatory practice is outrageous and does not reflect the graduated risks associated with normal ageing.

In respect of service provisions, the Equality Authority has stated that older people are being refused access to some public houses because they are deemed too old.