Revenue meeting with ISCP 9th January 

 Representative of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament met with two officials from the Revenue Commissioners today at 9.15am. There was a full and frank exchange regarding the crass  way in which Revenue had handled this whole matter.

Revenue did not provide us with the level of detail we had hoped to receive in relation to their surety that the people who received letters owed money. Indeed we urge that they must be more forthcoming at the meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 11th January. It is the right of every older person and their families to be proactively be told what the situation is.

Many of the case studies which have been advised of were raised with Revenue. There was an acceptance that in a large number of cases there will be no monies due, and where some monies are due the amounts are very small and that the abolition of the bin charges exemptions is a factor.  Indeed there has been an admissions that people who are “Exempt” got letters .

In relation to people who were bereaved in 2011 we were told that a letter was sent to anyone who received a payment in 2011 even if that payment had ceased in 2011 and a bereavement grant had been paid.  We feel this display a lack of sensitivity.

We got clarification that of the 562,000 persons in receipt of Department of Social Protection payments in the specified categories, letters were only sent to those who are liable to pay tax under the PAYE system Form 12.

There are some 100,000 persons in receipt of DSP payments who fall into the category of self assessment and who complete Form 11.

Following the meeting with Revenue a report was given to our National Executive who met today to consider the matter. It was agreed that we will continue to monitor and await the outcome of the Oireachtas Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow Wednesday 11^th January 2012.

Mairead Hayes

Please help us to assist you all

 Many of you are ringing us and giving us details of your situation. We cannot handle the volume of calls we are receiving.

To assist us, we ask you to log onto our website and tell us your story or send us a note in the post with your details at the above address. You can email to info@seniors.ie or to Dolores@seniors.ie  or add a comment to this message.

We really appreciate your understanding and co-operation in this matter.

While we are aware that many of you are worried and concerned we urge you not to ignore it and to ring Revenue and find out your exact position. From the calls we have received many of the people who have got letters do not owe any money and some may owe very small sums. Either way it will be worked out and will be resolved.

The main advice is not to panic, to seek advice either from family or a person you trust.

We have been contacted by many people who told us, that when they finally managed to contact Revenue, that, the Commissioners accepted the fact  that their State Pension had been reported to them. In one case Revenue were able to give chapter and verse of the many contacts with the pensioner.

We are meeting Revenue this week and would appreciate hearing from you about your case. So far we have not had many contacts from people who owe money.

8^th January 2012

ends

 Contact: Mairead Hayes   Email: ceo@seniors.ie

The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament welcomes the fact that in Budget 2012 Pensions in payment were maintained at their current rate. However the Parliament is concerned that many members  who are due to receive their pension from September 2012 will be affected by these proposed changes to the contributory rates listed below.

We urge the Minister to consider a more gradual approach to these changes. We also urge all those people who have been in touch with us to make their views and individual concerns/ situations known to the Minister and their elected representatives.

BUDGET 2012 PROPOSED CHANGES State Contributory Pension

**Previously this referred to 20-47 contributions

Qualified Adult: at this time we do not have figures

These changes require legislation and are not yet in affect.

 ENDS

For further information please contact

Mairead Hayes 086 349 8848

Changes to PENSIONS ELIGIBILITY  
 

Effective September 2012 changes to Average PRSI contribution requirements for a State Pensions will result in a new 6 tier payment structure.

Based on today’s rates this will mean lower payments for those who retire from 1^st September 2012. The changes as now set out will range from €4.20-€22.70 per week. Taken on their own these cuts will create hardship for many older people especially for those who have broken PRSI records. Many women fall into this category and unless the change is accompanied by a determined effort to look at their unique positions they will badly affected.

Máiréad Hayes, CEO of the ISCP, called on Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. to examine these proposals which were unveiled for the first time today and to engage in consultation with Older People and their organisations on the matter.

ENDS

for further information contact:                                           

Mairead Hayes                                                                        Tel:   (01) 8561243

Chief Executive Officer                                                         086 349 8848

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament                                5^th December  2011

Respect & Dignity
 

Taoiseach Enda Kenny in his address to the nation wants an Ireland where we can all grow old with Respect & Dignity.

If the reports in today’s media are to be believed that will not happen for the many  facing the prospect of a loss of 6 weeks Fuel Allowance in BUDGET 2012?  What are the prospects of respect and dignified living for families and older people in such circumstances?

 Máiread Hayes, CEO of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament urges the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin T.D. to reconsider any proposal which will result in cutting by 6 weeks the Fuel Allowance of €20 per week to  all those who qualify for it.

This payment is means tested and any cuts to it will result in serious problems for all who receive it across the life cycle. In particular it will mean that Older People will go to bed earlier or indeed stay in bed longer in their efforts to keep warm.

“Think again Minister and do not put vulnerable families and older people through  any more distress than they are already feeling in the present sub zero temperatures.”

ENDS

for further information contact:                                           

Mairead Hayes                                                                        Tel:   (01) 8561243

Chief Executive Officer                                                      086 349 8848

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament                                 5^th December  2011

1st Prize: Therese Neville, Co. Wexford

2nd Prize: Louie Casserly, Go Galway

3rd Prize: Alana Jordon, Co. Donegal

4th Prize: Gemma Carney, Co. Galway

5th Prize: Eilish Sinnot, Co. Wexford

Thanks to all who bought tickets to support our work.

Please help us raise much needed funds to continue our work on behalf of all Older People in Ireland.

See our raffle page for more details.

MEDIA RELEASE

WHEN IS A PROMISE A PROMISE?

The announcement by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton T.D. that the Government has reduced the fuel, phone, electricity and gas payments to Older People, Carers and those on long term Social Welfare is seen by many Older People as a breach of faith.

Just recently the Tánaiste promised there would be no reductions in Social Welfare and the Taoiseach promised there would be no Tax increases. At the stroke of a pen we have a Mini Budget which means there is €17million less for these vulnerable groups as we face into winter 2011. As of now they can look forward in 2012 to having €65million less.

Responding to the matter of under-usage in the Minister’s statement  Mairead Hayes said “With fixed incomes already reduced and fear of further cuts, Older People tell us they us they are afraid to use their units and try to keep them for the really bad weather. When one remembers the last two winters we have experienced we can readily understand why this is.”

This latest announcement will only add to the fear and dread about where and when the next cut will come. We urge all Older People to make their views know to their Public representatives.

ENDS

 for further information contact:                                          

Mairead Hayes                                                                 Tel:   (01) 8561243

Chief Executive Officer                                             086 349 8848

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament                         13^th July  2011   

MEDIA RELEASE

Stop the anxiety and uncertainty for Older People and their families. 

The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament calls on the Minister for Health James O’Reilly T.D. to clarify immediately the position with regard to the ongoing funding for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and to ensure that the necessary actions are taken by the HSE to ensure that the Support Scheme continues to be available to those Older People and their families who need it.

Older People and their families must have certainty about the future for their loved ones who through stroke, dementia or other age related illnesses need care in a residential setting. For many this need occurs at the end of a caring and coping period in the person’s own home through the support of family, community care and other supports. This is a basic need and must be available to those who need it.

In this matter of such concern to Older People we call on the Minister for Service for Older People, Kathleen Lynch T.D. to intervene to have this matter resolved for Older People and their families. We urge her to use her voice to ensure that no Older Person is denied the care they need.

ENDS

for further information contact:                                           

Mairead Hayes                                                                        Tel:   (01) 8561243

Chief Executive Officer                                                                      

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament                                    19^th May  2011