Tokenistic increase in Living Alone Allowance falls short of real need – Mark Wall TD
Tokenistic increase in Living Alone Allowance falls short of real need - Mark Wall TD - The Labour Party
Labour Party spokesperson on social protection Mark Wall TD said Ireland is no country to grow old in following the meagre increase in the Living Alone Allowance announced in today’s Budget. Deputy Wall also criticised Government’s failure to extend the Domiciliary Care Allowance to cover young people up to the age of 18.
Speaking following the announcement, Deputy Wall said:
“People are rightly disappointed about the €3 increase in the Living Alone Allowance. We know that up to 80,000 older people are living alone in poverty, and this €3 increase brings the allowance to only €25. It’s tokenistic lip service to a generation of people.
“This is the first increase to the allowance in five years. It was badly needed but does not go far enough to meaningfully improve the lives of older people who need support this winter.
“The State Contributory Pension increase announced today is below the rate of inflation, at just 3.3%.
“Older people are not immune from the cost of living crisis, and they are certainly not immune from the extraordinary energy bills that have been landing in letterboxes across the country.
“The failure to provide targeted energy credits shows just how out of touch this Government is with those at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis.
“The energy credits we saw in previous years, while imperfect, helped people stay just about afloat. The absence of new targeted measures for vulnerable households at the point they need them most is astonishing.
“Caring families have also been let down. Extending the Domiciliary Care Allowance from age 16 to 18 remains a hugely important issue for families whose caring responsibilities do not stop when their child turns 16. I recently raised this with the Minister for Social Protection, who confirmed that the extension would not be included in this Budget.
“Government must commit to extending the Domiciliary Care Allowance to age 18 and provide meaningful support for older people living alone. These families and households need reliable support that reflects the costs they face every week.”