by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
AN Inishowen pensioner has blasted a proposed new €3
charge on transport to and from Day Care Centres
across the peninsula with elderly residents also
being asked to pay €1 for a previously free meal.
The local man, who did not wish to be named, said it
was another tax on the most vulnerable members of
the community.
“It doesn’t sound like much money but many
pensioners travel to Day Centres three or four times
a week so this will cost them some elderly people up
to €16 a week. I think this is a very severe penalty
on a group which doesn’t have much money,” he said.
“Day Centre services were always free and we are
afraid that this new levy will lead to many
pensioners staying at home and becoming increasingly
isolated and unhealthy as a result. This is a big
concern and we are worried that many old people will
simply not bother going out.”
“Centres provide social contact for many people who
otherwise wouldn’t see anyone all day long. They
also provide baths, showers, haircuts and chiropody
services for those who couldn’t afford to pay. This
latest charge will adversely affect hundreds of
vulnerable people across Inishowen,” he added.
At a recent Donegal Care of the Older Person meeting
pensioner Lanna NcNamara reported that grave concern
was being felt about ongoing cuts to Day Centres.
“First it was 1 per cent then 6.2 per cent and now
old people are being asked to pay €3 for their
transport to centres. We are told that old age
pensions are not being cut, but surely this is
chopping lumps off the pension of the most
vulnerable old people,” she said.
“We know that many old people can manage on these
pensions but there are many old people out there who
never earned enough to save and have no family near
them. For them, their visit to the day centre is
absolutely vital. They need the social interaction
and the loving care and attention they receive
there.”
“Now with electricity due to rise, they may be
forced to choose between spending there few euros on
heating their
homes or availing of the much needed companionship
which the Day Centres provides. Many of these people
live alone, and we know it costs as much to heat a
room for one person as it does for two or more. So
where does this leave them---lonely and forgotten.”
“We know the HSE staff have a difficult task trying
to provide a good service with the difficulties, but
we ask them to consider very carefully the impact
these latest charges would have on the most
vulnerable people in the community,” she added. |
