The programme for government announced yesterday by Fine Gael and Labour has been criticised by two advocacy groups.
Age Action welcomed plans for a universal, single-tier health service saying it would benefit many older people by providing access to medical care based on need rather than income but questioned how the new government's plans would impact on older people in need of community-based health services and those struggling to heat their homes.
.
"The roll out of the scheme to GP care, and contracts which incentivise family doctors to care for patients with chronic illnesses are welcome," Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said.
"The new universal health insurance model will include primary care and hospital care, but not care in nursing homes or essential community supports, which is disappointing as it appears to view the long-term health care needs of older people differently to all other forms of health care," he added.
However, he welcomed the plan to regulate those providing home help and home care package service, with the Health Information and Quality Authority responsible for independent inspection.
Mr Timmins expressed concern about what vulnerable older people would do when home energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes come to an end in 2013.
"It is unclear how the most vulnerable of older people who are currently struggling to heat their homes will be impacted by this policy, but it is hoped that the Government's fuel poverty strategy will be published by then and this will hold the key to helping those for whom the inability to afford to heat their homes is a life or death issue," he said.
Choice Ireland, a pro-choice campaign group, expressed disappointment in the failure of the programme for government to include a promise to legislate in the wake of the recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on abortion. The document states that an "expert group" will be established to address the issue.
"The programme for government sets no timeframe for when the 'expert group' will be established and when its work will be completed, nor does it set out clear terms of reference. It says only that it will make 'recommendations to the Government on how this matter should be properly addressed'," spokeswoman Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh said today.
"We have already had several court decisions and two referenda to decide how the matter should be addressed. We do not need a talking shop to go over the same ground again."