Older people face a number of economic challenges with one in four over the age of 65 are at risk of poverty.
Ahead of the general election despite Ireland's wealth, one in four people over the age of 65 are still at risk of poverty. Older people represent a significant 17 per cent of the electorate and through initiatives like the older & bolder campaign, they are looking for support for issues directly affecting them.
Ellen Reddin, a volunteer with Active Living Ballymun which supports equality for older people, is concerned about the increased cost of living facing many older citizens. Rising gas and electricity prices, bin charges, water charges are just some of the rising costs they face.
The gas has gone through the ozone layer and the electricity is following it.
In addition to rising prices, older people are concerned about healthcare, housing and pensions. There are now 90,000 pensioners at risk of poverty and campaigners say that increasing the state pension is not enough.
Helen Johnston, Director of the Combat Poverty Agency, says that the state pension needs to be increased in line with earnings so that pensioners are not left behind.
There are almost 470,000 people aged over 65 in Ireland, all of whom are entitled to vote in the forthcoming general election. Eamon Timmons of Age Action says that older people are looking at the policies of each of the political parties and are prepared to switch their vote.
There's a belief among the political parties that older people always vote the same way and that certainly is not the case.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 May 2007. The reporter is Niamh Nolan.
