Government spending on care for the elderly is running at just half the EU average and is at least one third behind the average developed country, according to a report to be published next month.
The Sunday Business Postthis morning highlights the report by Governemnt think-tank the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF), which calls on the state to spend at least €1.5 billion a year for the next five years on care for the elderly.
According to the report, the Government spent less than €1 billion on care for the elderly last year, the equivelent of 0.67 per cent of GDP.
Five yeras ago the avergae developed country spent about 1 per cent of GDP on care services for old people.
The report also found that the average Irish pensioner received €6,439 from the State in 2001 - less than half the EU average of €14,450.