ALONE response to measures in Budget 2021 for older people

ALONE, the organisation that supports older people, has responded to today’s Budget, by welcoming the increased investment in health care for older people but has additionally highlighted some failings of Budget 2021.

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, commented; “ALONE are delighted to see the increased investment in healthcare such as the home care support hours and the increased capacity, this is something that we, at ALONE, and other organisations have been advocating for in the past number of years. This additional funding will provide much needed extra support and supplementary staff to help older people age at home for as long as possible.”

However, Mr. Moynihan expressed concern at Budget 2021. “We are disappointed to see that older people were not mentioned enough in this budget and the measures did not adequately reflect the pre-existing and exasperated challenges faced by older people in today’s world. We are also disheartened to see the Government has failed to set the State Pension at the average weekly wage agreed in their own Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018 – 2023.

While the organisation welcomed the increase in the Living Alone Allowance and Fuel Allowance, there is concern whether the increase in energy usage and provider prices, will be offset by the €3.50 fuel allowance increase. Commenting on this Seán Moynihan continued, “We are looking forward to seeing more detail of the fuel allowance increase and how or if it will offset the increase in utility bills being experienced by older people this year.”