A Citizens Charter For Older People

1916 - 2016 Sinn FĂŠin, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. Tel: 01 8726100 Email: admin@sinnfein.ie Web: www.sinnfein.ie

A Citizens Charter for Older People Sinn FĂŠin believe that an equal society is possible.

We want to bring the realisation of a fair society for all citizens, young and old and at all levels of society. For that to happen we need a major change in how politics is done.

We have started a debate about the future, about what sort of a country and society we want to live in, a country proud of its past and confident in its future and a society based on equality, respect and dignity for all citizens.

We want to change attitudes, not just policies.

We want to change how people are viewed by government.

We want to ensure our older citizens are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Sinn FĂŠin is bringing forward a Citizens Charter for older people, in which we will commit to fight for fairness and decency.

We are taking this conversation to every county in Ireland in the lead up to the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising, raising the ideals of the Proclamation and asking for and listening to the views, needs and aspirations of people all over the country. It is a fitting tribute too to the memory of those selfless men and women of that period, whose children today face deprivation, poverty, homelessness and an absence of rights.

1. Free travel protected and not curtailed by time restrictions and protect bus routes particularly in rural areas.

1. Taisteal saor in aisce a chosaint agus ní bheidh srianta ama ann nó ní chuirfear deireadh le busbhealaí, go háirithe i gceantair thuaithe.

2. The right to dignified healthcare in a fullystaffed and proper capacity health system through the introduction of a one-tier health system and rolling out free GP care and free prescriptions for all.

2. Teacht ar chúram sláinte lán dínithe i gcóras sláinte a bhfuil foireann cheart ag obair ann agus atá ar lánacmhainne, trí chóras sláinte aonsraithe a thabhairt isteach agus deireadh a chur le muirir ar nós muirir oidis.

3. Security in the home - Recruit 550 gardaí a year to restore An Garda Síochána to a 14,000 strong force and provide extra safeguards for security and safety for older people who live at home.

3. Slándáil sa bhaile - 550 Garda a earcú in aghaidh na bliana chun An Garda Síochána a athbhunú mar fhórsa le 14,000 ann agus cosanta breise a sholáthar do sheandaoine a chónaíonn sa bhaile.

4. Measures to support the ability of older people to remain in their own home. Sinn Féin would increase home help hours, respite hours, carers allowance and provide additional sheltered housing and independent living dwellings where it is required.

5. A warm home - Restoration of fuel allowance.

6. A decent income - no cuts to the State pension, a review of women’s pensions and abolition of property tax and water charges.

7. Reversal of some of the harshest cuts; the telephone allowance and the bereavement grant and increasing the living alone allowance.

8. A series of initiatives to enable young Irish families to return home to their elderly parents after forced emigration.

4. Beartais chun cuidiú le seandaoine fanacht sa bhaile - Chuifeadh Sinn Féin le méid uaireannta do chúintóirí sa bhaile, le huaireanta faoisimh, le liúntas do chúramóirí agus dhéanfaí sciaththithíocht agus áitreadh um maireachtáil neamhslpeách sa bhreis a sholáthar de réir mar is gá.

5. Baile te - an liúntas breosla a thabhairt isteach in athuair.

6. Ioncam fiúntach - gan ciorruithe ar bith ar phinsin an Stáit, athbhreithniú ar phinsin na mban, agus deireadh le cáin réadmhaoine agus muirir uisce.

7. Athrú iomlán a dhéanamh ar chuid de na ciorruithe is déine; liúntas maireachtála aonair a mhéadú lena chinntiú gur féidir le gach duine aosta atá ina chónaí ina aonair teacht ar aláram práinne; agus an deontas méala a thabhairt ar ais 8. Roinnt tionscnamh ionas go mbeidh teaghlaigh óga Éireannacha in ann pilleadh abhaile chuig a dtuismitheoirí aosta i ndiaidh dóibh dul ar imirce éigeantach.

Cairt na Saoránach le hAghaidh Daoine Aosta