Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táimid ag suí anseo inniu go breá sócúlach. Tá daoine eile, ina measc na haostaigh, a bhfuil an-imní orthu mar gheall ar chuid de na ciorraithe atá tagtha isteach sa bhuiséid. Many elderly people are very worried about some of the cuts that were introduced in this budget. One of the particularly cynical cuts has been the cut to the telephone allowance, which in itself is not going to make a massive saving for the Government. It needs to be examined and reversed. It will affect 390,000 people and is part of a composite picture where elderly people are seeing an increase in prescription charges and some are losing medical cards. An issue in rural areas has been the huge cutback in rural transport. We need to think about the fact that the telephone line is almost like a lifeline. People use their pendants for personal security, and the line also connects people to their families, friends, health services, communities and so on. In rural areas in particular, the telephone line is essential if people want to have broadband, so it is not just telephone lines that are being taken away from the people who need them, but also their connection to their communities. It is a draconian cut.

I call on the Leader to arrange a debate not just on this specific issue, but also on the impact of austerity cuts on the elderly. It is important we hear how this will affect them. The composite nature of these cuts, with small cuts here, there and everywhere, will come together to make them fearful for the future, worried about how they will connect with their families and how they will cope on their diminishing means.