The Green Party yesterday promised to introduce an older persons' ombudsman, a minister for state and cabinet sub-committee and a national positive ageing strategy to improve conditions for older people in Ireland if they get into Government.
The provisions are contained in the party's Older Persons' policy document, Citizenship, Equality and Respect, which also outlines plans to introduce a high-quality public transport system to help older people live more independently and to provide them with warm, accessible accommodation.
It is estimated that, by the middle of the century, one-quarter of the population will be 65 or over. Speaking at the launch of the policy document, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said that Ireland has the second-highest rate of poverty among older people in the EU.
According to the document, more than 16,000 pensioner households experience fuel poverty. Mr Sargent said because older people need more heat, they are the ones most likely to suffer from the rising cost of energy. He said he hoped to see at least some of the cost of fuel going to alleviate fuel poverty and what he termed was "apartheid" against older people.
Social and family affairs spokesman Dan Boyle said there should be a national insulation programme and that fuel allowances should be increased, should cover a longer time period and should be index-linked.
The Greens also stressed the need to better inform older people of their benefit entitlements.
The policy document was largely welcomed by various organisations representing older people at yesterday's launch. Age Action Ireland welcomed the Greens' support for the right to health, and the proposal that a strong State pension be introduced.