THE QUALITY of life for older people is being seriously eroded. Limerick Senior Citizens’ representatives say that older people are having to go to bed earlier because they are unable to afford fuel, cannot go out to socialise because of a lack of public transport and tougher drink-driving laws and many are scared to go out after dark because of the “thuggery” which is going on.
Oliver Creighton, chairperson of the Limerick Division of the Senior Citizens’ Parliament says:
“If you add to that all of the cuts to services and the new charges that are being piled on pensioners and people on a fixed income, you will see how their quality of live is draining away.”
Oliver and Paul Walsh, who is secretary of the Limerick Division are preparing to submit motions for the Parliament’s AGM in Dublin in March and are considering the urgency of the issues which people in Limerick are raising.
“There have been cutbacks in every area, dental treatment, charges for medical card subscriptions. I all mounts up. The cuts to fuel allowance are very hard on people. What is an older person to do? They have to put on more clothes or just go to bed earlier And they are afraid to go out at night because of the thuggery that is occurring on our streets.”.
The Limerick Division was founded in November 2010 and now has 22 organisations in Limerick city and county alone.
Paul points out how important it is that organisations and individuals affiliate with the Parliament to strengthen its voice..
“We are a non-political umbrella group and we have a seat in the social partnership so we have an ear in Government”.
.Another blow to older people’s lifestyle and peace of mind is that they can no longer afford to be generous with their children and grandchildren.
“They have been helping their children raise families and assisting with the mortgage or the grandchildren’s’ education. They are being hit with so many charges, along with everyone else that few can afford to do that anymore, The effect of all this on people’s mental health is devastating,” Oliver said.
Any club or individual interested in joining forces with the Senior Citizens’ Parliament by affiliating with it can contact the head office at 01-8561243
